title: Self-expanding Polyflex plastic stents in esophageal disease: various indications, complications, and outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophageal stenting has become an important technique in the treatment of different clinical problems such as malignant or benign stenosis, anastomotic leaks after surgery, or fistulas. In this study we present our experience with the self-expanding Polyflex plastic stent in various indications, arising complications, and patient's outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a three-year period, 35 patients underwent self-expanding Polyflex plastic stent placement for esophageal stenosis (n = 23) with 22 malignant, and for perforations, fistulas, or anastomotic leaks after surgery (n = 12). The short-term efficacy and long-term outcomes were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients with stenosis, implantation was performed without any complications in 91% (21/23). In one patient perforation occurred while passing the stenosis; in another patient the stent dislocated during the insertion procedure. Dysphagia score improved from 3.0 to 1.0 after stenting. In all patients with perforations, fistulas, or anastomotic leaks (n = 12), stents were placed successfully without any complication. Complete sealing of the mucosal defect was proven by radiography in 92% (n = 11) and healing was seen in 42% (n = 5). If indicated, stent removal was performed without any complications. Stent migration (n = 13; 37%) was the most common long-term complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The placement of self-expanding Polyflex plastic stents is a highly sufficient and cost-effective treatment for malignant and benign esophageal disorders. Because the long-term results were highly favorable, self-expanding plastic stent placement could be used as the initial treatment for various conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ratiu
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Endlicher
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Rath
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gelbmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schölmerich
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kullmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / 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; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome