Double stenting for malignant oesophago-respiratory fistula.
BACKGROUND
The close anatomical relationship between the oesophagus and bronchial tree results in formation of an oesophago-respiratory fistula in a subset of patients with advanced oesophageal or lung cancer. In those patients stenting of both the oesophagus and tracheobronchial tree is a valid option of palliative treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness, tolerance, quality of life, safety and survival after double stenting procedures.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was performed, concerning consecutive patients with oesophago-respiratory fistulas treated with double stenting. In all patients the degree of dysphagia, respiratory function before and after the procedure, and quality of life were evaluated. Partially covered oesophageal self-expanding metallic stents (PCESEMS) were used for oesophageal stenting, and silicone Y-type or partially covered self-expanding bronchial and tracheal stents (PCASEMS) were used to restore airway patency.


RESULTS
Between 2003 and 2015, 31 patients underwent double stenting due to oesophago-respiratory fistulas. Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and 2 with bronchial carcinoma. In all patients, improvement in the general condition and quality of life was observed after airway patency restoration. Two patients required mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure immediately after the procedure. Seven patients with oesophageal fistulas died because of bleeding in the long-term follow-up. Four patients required endoscopic re-intervention. Mean survival time was 67.1 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Double stenting is an effective procedure improving patients' quality of life. However, life-threatening complications can occur.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland.
Janusz
J
Włodarczyk
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland.
Jarosław
J
Kużdżał
bronchial carcinoma; double stenting; fistula; oesophageal carcinoma