Self-expanding metallic esophageal stents: a long way to go before a particular stent can be recommended.
We agree that the covered self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) fare better than the uncovered stents as recurrent dysphagia due to tumor ingrowth is common with uncovered stent. Recent American College of Gastroenterology Practice Guideline on the Role of Esophageal Stents in Benign and Malignant Diseases concludes that SEMSs cannot be routinely recommended in conjunction with chemo-radiation. The comparison of ultraflex and choostent in the Italian study found no difference in the palliation of dysphagia, rate of complications and survival rate.
Pankaj
P
Jain
D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015607:Stents