Simple and useful endoscopic technique in the re-establishment of esophageal patency for the treatment of a completely obstructed esophagus.
Complete esophageal obstruction by benign or malignant diseases is an extremely morbid condition resulting in a very poor quality of life. Nutritional support through gastrostomy feeding or total parenteral nutrition is required to sustain life for such a patient. Re-establishment of esophageal patency allows for resumption of oral intake resulting in a marked improvement in the quality of life and avoids the complications associated with nutritional support through alternate routes. We describe a simple, safe, and effective endoscopic technique in the re-establishment of esophageal luminal patency.
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Cliff K
CK
Choong
Carlo
C
Martinez
Bryan F
BF
Meyers
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans