title: Malignant esophagogastric junction obstruction: palliative treatment with an antireflux valve stent.
abstract: The authors assessed the efficacy of an antireflux valve stent in the palliation of malignant esophagogastric junction (EGJ) obstruction after in vitro testing of the stent. Seventeen patients with inoperable malignant EGJ obstruction were treated. Antireflux valves, made of three polyurethane leaflets, were attached to the distal part of the stent to prevent reflux. When the flow rate of normal saline was 100 mL/sec in the forward direction, the valve fully opened at a pressure of 10 mm Hg. When the flow rate of normal saline was 0.35 mL/sec in the backward direction, the valve nearly completely closed at a pressure of 10 mm Hg. Stent placement was successful in all patients without complications. The median dysphagia score decreased significantly, from 3.0 (dysphagia to liquids) to 1.0 (dysphagia to normal solid food) (P < .0005). No patients experienced reflux symptoms. There was one case of stent migration. A valve stent that can prevent major reflux is an effective device for the palliation of malignant EGJ obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, 50 Ilwon-dong, Kangnam-ku, Seoul 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Choo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome