title: Removable self-expanding plastic esophageal stent as a continuous, non-permanent dilator in treating refractory benign esophageal strictures: a prospective two-center study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Refractory benign esophageal strictures (RBES) are difficult to treat requiring frequent dilatations or surgery. Conceptually, while maintaining luminal patency, if a dilator is kept in place continuously for several weeks, the benefits may be longer lasting. An expandable esophageal stent will be ideal in achieving the above. Preliminary results on using a removable self-expanding plastic esophageal stent, Polyflex stent (PS), for treating RBES have been mixed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of PS in the treatment of RBES.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with RBES [mean age 60 +/- 15 SD yrs, female 14, male 26, Anastomotic 12 (fistula 4), Corrosive 8, Radiation 7, Pill induced 4, Post trauma 3 (fistula 3), Peptic 2, Others 4 (fistula 1)] were prospectively studied. Continuous non-permanent dilation was performed by placing a PS and removing it after 4 wk. The patients were then followed at regular intervals. Pre-insertion baseline data and post-removal information on dysphagia status, complications, and change in outcome were prospectively collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The technical success in stent placement and stent removal were 95% and 94%, respectively. Mean post-stent dysphagia score was 0.6 +/- 0.7 SD, which was significantly better than pre-stent scores (3.0 +/- 0.8 SD; P < 0.001). At median follow-up of 53 wk (range 11-156), only 40% (intention to treat 30%) patients were dysphagia-free. However, the overall change in outcome from baseline options (ongoing dilatations, or surgery) was 66% (dysphagia-free 12, did not want removal 2, did not remove 1, preferred long-term stenting 10). The stent was successful in closing the fistula in five of eight (63%) patients. Complications observed were migration eight (22%), severe chest pain four (11%), bleeding three (8%), perforation two (5.5%), GE reflux two (5.5%), impaction two (5.5%), and new fistula one (2.7%). There was one mortality from massive bleeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was feasible to deploy and remove PS stents in the majority of patients with RBES. Some patients achieved long-term relief without further re-interventions while several others re-strictured and preferred long-term stenting over repeated dilations or surgery. The procedure carries significant risks and hence should only be considered in carefully selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Kulwinder S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Dua
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Vleggaar
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santharam
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Siersema
mesh_terms: D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010969:Plastics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics