title: Esophageal stents as a salvage therapy for non-malignant iatrogenic esophageal perforations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophageal non-malignant perforations are severe life-threatening conditions. The current treatment is either surgical or conservative.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case series of 3 consecutive patients (1 female, 2 male; 34-68 years) treated with expandable covered stents for non-malignant iatrogenic esophageal perforations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our series, 3 out of 3 patients sealed their perforations and resumed normal oral intake. Complications observed were 2 stent migrations, which occurred at 6 and 11 months after stent insertion, a stenosis due to acid reflux treated by another stent insertion above the first one. On the basis of the data available, it appears that esophageal stents was successful in 82% of the cases. The mortality and complication rates were of 7% and 32% respectively. The main complications observed were peptic stenosis above the stent and fistulas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results are promising but need to be confirmed in large-scale prospective studies. Mediastinal drainage remains mandatory when sepsis is present.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastro-entérologie et Nutrition, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Jean Minjoz, Besancon, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fein
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guinier
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mantion
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heyd
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carbonnel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome