title: Esophageal stenting for treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures in dogs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign esophageal strictures can recur despite multiple dilatation procedures and palliative management can be challenging.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the technique and determine the outcome of esophageal stenting for treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures (RBES) in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine dogs with RBES.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of records for dogs with RBES. Indwelling intraluminal esophageal stents were placed transorally with endoscopy, fluoroscopic guidance, or both. Follow-up information was obtained via medical record or telephone interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine dogs had 10 stents placed including biodegradable stents (BDS) (6/10), self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) (3/10), and a self-expanding plastic stent (SEPS) (1/10). All dogs had short-term improved dysphagia. Complications included ptyalism, apparent nausea, gagging, vomiting, or regurgitation (8/9), confirmed recurrence of stricture (6/9), stent migration (3/9), stent shortening (1/9), megaesophagus (1/9), incisional infection (1/9), and tracheal-esophageal fistula (1/9). Eight of 9 dogs required intervention because of the complications of which 4 of 8 dogs were eventually euthanized because of stent-related issues. One dog was lost to follow-up examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that esophageal stent placement was safe and technically effective, but unpredictably tolerated in dogs with RBES. If a stent is placed, dogs should be monitored carefully for stent migration, dissolution of absorbable stents, and recurrence of strictures.
authors.affiliation: The Animal Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weisse
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berent
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaae
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Radlinsky
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gingerich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Balloon dilatation; Bougeniage; Endoscopy; Interventional radiology