title: Clinical Outcomes, Efficacy, and Adverse Events in Patients Undergoing Esophageal Stent Placement for Benign Indications: A Large Multicenter Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophageal stents are commonly used to treat benign esophageal conditions including refractory benign esophageal strictures, anastomotic strictures, fistulae, perforations and anastomotic leaks. Data on outcomes in these settings remain limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective multicenter study of patients who underwent fully or partially covered self-expandable stent placement for benign esophageal diseases. Esophageal stent placements were performed for the following indications: (1) benign refractory esophageal strictures, (2) surgical anastomotic strictures, (3) esophageal perforations, (4) esophageal fistulae, and (5) surgical anastomotic leaks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 70 patients underwent esophageal stent placement for benign esophageal conditions. A total of 114 separate procedures were performed. The most common indication for esophageal stent placement was refractory benign esophageal stricture (48.2%). Global treatment success rate was 55.7%. Treatment success rate was 33.3% in refractory benign strictures, 23.1% in anastomotic strictures, 100% in perforations, 71.4% in fistulae, and 80% in anastomotic leaks. Stent migration was noted in 28 of 70 patients (40%), most commonly seen in refractory benign strictures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is one of the largest studies to date of esophageal stents to treat benign esophageal diseases. Success rates are lowest in benign esophageal strictures. These patients have few other options beyond chronic dilations, feeding tubes, and surgery, and fully covered self-expandable metallic stent give patients a chance to have their problem fixed endoscopically and still eat by mouth. Perforations, fistulas, and leaks respond very well to esophageal stenting, and stenting should be considered as a first-line therapy in these settings.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT †Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jefferson University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Raza A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Sobia N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Laique
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wrobel
authors.forename: Douglas G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Adler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000601:surgery; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000601:surgery; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult