High pharyngoesophageal strictures after laryngopharyngectomy can also be treated by self-expandable plastic stents.
BACKGROUND
Permanent dysphagia occurring after laryngectomy or laryngopharyngectomy can usually be treated by periodic dilation. Occasionally, however, conservative treatment is insufficient, and patients require long-term tube feeding. We describe 4 cases with stricture after laryngopharyngectomy who underwent insertion of self-expandable plastic stents (SEPSs) across the stricture for treatment of dysphagia.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of SEPSs in postlaryngopharyngectomy strictures.


METHODS
An interventional study of management of 4 patients of dysphagia after laryngopharyngectomy with SEPSs.


METHODS
Medical gastroenterology unit in a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
Four patients with dysphagia after laryngopharyngectomy.


METHODS
SEPS placement and removal after 3 months.


METHODS
Improvement in dysphagia.


METHODS
Four patients with dysphagia after laryngopharyngectomy underwent dilation of stricture followed by SEPS placement for 3 months.


RESULTS
Three patients had grade IV, and 1 grade III dysphagia. Endoscopy showed stricture at 10 to 14 cm from the incisors. Stricture was dilated up to 15 mm on 3 occasions, 2 weeks apart. A silicone Polyflex stent was placed across the stricture and removed after 3 months. No dysphagia recurred after 2 months. No significant complications were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Small sample size.


CONCLUSIONS
SEPSs dilate postlaryngopharyngectomy strictures and prevent restenosis even after removal.
Somani
Sanjay Kumar
SK
Department of Gastroenterology, Sahara Hospital, Lucknow 226010 (UP), India. sanjayksomani@rediffmail.com
Verma
Narinder
N
Avasthi
Gurcharan
G
Ghosh
Arindam
A
Goyal
Richa
R
Joshi
Nitin
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010611:Pharyngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible