title: High pharyngoesophageal strictures after laryngopharyngectomy can also be treated by self-expandable plastic stents.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Sahara Hospital, Lucknow 226010 (UP), India. sanjayksomani@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Sanjay Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Somani
authors.forename: Narinder
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Gurcharan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Avasthi
authors.forename: Arindam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Richa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: Nitin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joshi
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible