title: Management of esophageal anastomotic leaks, perforations, and fistulae with self-expanding plastic stents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Esophageal anastomotic leaks, perforations, and fistulae are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of self-expanding plastic stents in the treatment of esophageal leaks.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2001 to 2009, 41 patients with postoperative anastomotic leaks (n = 30), esophageal perforations (n = 6), or fistulae (n = 5) were treated by endoscopic insertion of self-expanding plastic stents. The clinical outcome of the patients was analyzed, including leak healing, morbidity, and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-expanding plastic stents were successfully inserted in all 41 patients without procedure-related complications. Non-ventilated patients received oral feeding an average of 3.9 days after stent placement. Complete leak healing was obtained in 27 of 30 patients (90%) with anastomotic leaks and 5 patients (83%) with perforation. Sealing of fistulae by the stents was achieved in all 5 patients, and closure of the fistula was observed in 2 patients (40%). The mean healing time was 30 days for anastomotic leaks, 15 days for esophageal perforations, and 16 days for fistulae. Stent migration occurred in 14 cases, but endoscopic reintervention and new stent placement were successful in all cases. In-hospital mortality after treatment of esophageal leaks with stents was 10%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In combination with effective interventional or surgical drainage, stenting is a viable option for the treatment of esophageal anastomotic leaks and perforations, but the success in tracheoesophageal fistula is limited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Helios Hospital, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Yiyang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Sascha S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.forename: Sören
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kneif
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hünerbein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D004435:Eating; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000401:mortality; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005858:Germany; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010969:Plastics; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics