[Treatment of dysphagia of malignant origin with the endoprosthesis of Strecker].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of metallic Strecker stents for palliation of malignant dysphagia.


METHODS
From June 1992 to August 1995, 66 Strecker stents were inserted in 55 consecutive patients, 50 male and 5 female, with a mean age of 62 years (range 25-83). The cause of dysphagia was incurable malignant obstruction of the esophagus. Three patients presented with dysphagia grade I, 8 grade II, 27 grade III and 17 grade IV. All the procedures were performed under fluoroscopic control.


RESULTS
Exact positioning of the stent was technically feasible in all patients. No procedure-related mortalities or major complications occurred. Immediate complications were transient chest pain (n = 11), blood stain sputum (n = 8) and gastroesophageal reflux (n = 8). During follow-up, 7 patients (12.7%) had recurrent dysphagia due to tumor ingrowth or overgrowth. In these patients an additional overlapping stent was successfully placed in six cases and balloon dilatation in one. Latest evaluation revealed dysphagia grade O in five patients (9%), 10 dysphagia grade I (18%), 14 grade II (25%), 13 grade III (23.6%) and seven grade IV.


CONCLUSIONS
Implantation of Strecker stents is an effective and safe method of palliating severe malignant dysphagia. Placement of the stents was feasible without major procedure complications.
Unidad de Radiología Vascular Intervencionista, Hospital Nuestra Señora del Pino, Las Palmas.
J M
JM
Carreira
E
E
Górriz
R
R
Reyes
J M
JM
Argilés
J M
JM
Pulido
M D
MD
Pardo
M
M
Maynar
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects