Clinical application of metallic stents in treatment of esophageal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) in patients with malignant esophageal obstruction and to analyze their prognosis and complications.


METHODS
Seventy-four metallic stents were placed under fluoroscopic guidance in 66 patients with esophageal obstruction secondary to carcinoma, of whom, 6 cases were complicated by fistula.


RESULTS
After seventy-two stents were successfully used in 66 cases without any severe complications (technical successful rate was 97%), the dysphagia score improved from 3.3+/-0.6 to 0.8+/-0.5 (P<0.01), and life quality improved significantly in all these patients. All fistulae were sealed immediately after coated stents were inserted in the six patients. New stents were placed in two patients: the stent migrated more than 2 cm, in one patient and the stent slipped into stomach in the other. Minor bleeding was found only in 28 patients during the operation. Reobstruction was found in 12 patients, but was successfully cured under endoscopy. The survival rate was 78%, 57% and 11% for 6 mo, 1 year and 2 years respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Placement of SEMS is a simple, safe, quick and efficient surgical method for treating esophageal carcinoma obstruction. It may be used mainly as a palliative treatment of esophageal obstruction secondary to carcinoma.
Yang
Hai-Shan
HS
Department of Radiology, Sino-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130031, Jilin Province, China. jifs@mail.china.com
Zhang
Lin-Bo
LB
Wang
Tian-Wei
TW
Zhao
Yong-Sheng
YS
Liu
Lin
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D015607:Stents; D016019:Survival Analysis
D008670:Metals