title: [The palliation of dysphagia secondary to esophageal-cardial carcinoma with self-expandable metal prostheses. The authors' personal experience with 92 patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic insertion of a stent is an important option in the palliative management of esophageal obstruction and esophagorespiratory fistula. Plastic stents have been available for over 20 years. A new class of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of esophageal and cardial cancer is now available.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 1992 and October 1997, 92 patients underwent implantation of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of dysphagia due to inoperable esophageal or cardial cancer (65 patients) or for locally recurrent carcinoma after surgery (12 patients), laser-therapy (11 patients) or radiotherapy (4 patients).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful stent implantation was achieved in 89/92 patients (96.7%). After stent implantation the dysphagia score improved from 3.0, on average, to 0.5, on average. Early complications were observed in 4.5% and peroperative mortality was 2.1%. Late complications were observed in 25.6%, with a mortality rate of 1.1%. The mean survival time was 6.9 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-expanding metal stents are a new effective alternative for palliation of dysphagia due to esophageal and cardial cancers.
authors.affiliation: Servizio Centralizzato di Endoscopia Digestiva Operatoria, Università degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: De Palma
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sivero
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galloro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siciliano
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pigna
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catanzano
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D002299:Cardia; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D015607:Stents; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
vernacular_title: La palliazione della disfagia secondaria a carcinoma esofago-cardiale con protesi metalliche autoespandibili. Esperienza personale su 92 pazienti.