title: Improvement in dysphagia and quality of life with self-expanding metallic stents in malignant esophageal strictures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carcinoma of the esophagus often presents at an advanced stage, with absolute dysphagia or aspiration. Palliative procedures have an important role in improving the quality of life (QOL) of patients who are not candidates for curative therapy. We report on the efficacy and complications of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) in such patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultraflex nitinol SEMS were placed under endoscopic guidance in patients with malignant esophageal strictures. Dysphagia, pain and QOL were assessed before and after SEMS placement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty patients were treated with SEMS. QOL score improved significantly from 62-94 before stenting to 80-133 after the procedure. There was improvement in dysphagia grades. Pain was the most common complaint noted on follow up. There was no major morbidity or mortality related to the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SEMS placement is a safe and effective treatment modality for palliation of dysphagia due to malignant esophageal strictures. It provides lasting relief in dysphagia and improvement in QOL, without major complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India. n.ananthk@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nanda Kishore
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Maroju
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anbalagan
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kate
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ananthakrishnan
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D015607:Stents