BACKGROUND/AIMS: Sophisticated endoscopical palliation in end-stage malignant stenosis of the esophagus and gastroesophageal-junction must be weighed against associated morbidity and mortality. In a prospective study we investigated benefits and risks of one type of coated, self-expandable stent in ultimate palliation of esophageal neoplasms focusing on factors that might predispose patients to develop complications. METHODOLOGY: 33 men (70.2%) and 14 women (29.8%), (mean age 68.3 years, range from 38 to 90 years), suffering from nonresectable malignant stenosis of the esophagus due to advanced tumor stage and/or functional inoperability were treated by using a covered, self-expandable stent (covered ULTRAFLEX esophageal stent system, Microinvasive, Boston Scientific Corporation, Boston, MA). Stenting was indicated because of severe dysphagia for liquids and saliva in 41 (87.2%) patients, tracheoesophageal fistula in 5 (10.6%) patients and in one case of tumor bleeding (2.1%). 32 out of 47 patients had had one or other multiple treatment modalities before stenting. In 15 patients stenting was the first and only therapeutic option. RESULTS: All patients experienced an improvement of dysphagia immediately after stenting. Eight out of 47 patients (17.1%) developed major stent-associated complications: Early complications within 4 days after implantation evolved in two cases, with one patient dying from stent-induced perforation with consecutive mediastinitis and multi-organ failure. Late complications (20 to 180 days after stent implantation) occurred in 6 cases: Three esophagotracheal fistulae (two with tracheal compression) induced by stent expansion, one stent-induced bleeding and two stent dislocations. After appropriate complication management all but two patients were able to be discharged after a mean of 2.6 days. Multivariate analysis did not show any factors that might have predicted the development of major stent-associated complications. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the self-expandable Ultraflex-stent will efficiently palliate dysphagia, bleeding and fistulae. The 17% risk of major complications seems acceptable regarding the inherent problems of alternative treatment options, like gastrostomy, PEG, nasogastric tube or long-term parenteral feeding.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Sophisticated endoscopical palliation in end-stage malignant stenosis of the esophagus and gastroesophageal-junction must be weighed against associated morbidity and mortality. In a prospective study we investigated benefits and risks of one type of coated, self-expandable stent in ultimate palliation of esophageal neoplasms focusing on factors that might predispose patients to develop complications. METHODOLOGY: 33 men (70.2%) and 14 women (29.8%), (mean age 68.3 years, range from 38 to 90 years), suffering from nonresectable malignant stenosis of the esophagus due to advanced tumor stage and/or functional inoperability were treated by using a covered, self-expandable stent (covered ULTRAFLEX esophageal stent system, Microinvasive, Boston Scientific Corporation, Boston, MA). Stenting was indicated because of severe dysphagia for liquids and saliva in 41 (87.2%) patients, tracheoesophageal fistula in 5 (10.6%) patients and in one case of tumor bleeding (2.1%). 32 out of 47 patients had had one or other multiple treatment modalities before stenting. In 15 patients stenting was the first and only therapeutic option. RESULTS: All patients experienced an improvement of dysphagia immediately after stenting. Eight out of 47 patients (17.1%) developed major stent-associated complications: Early complications within 4 days after implantation evolved in two cases, with one patient dying from stent-induced perforation with consecutive mediastinitis and multi-organ failure. Late complications (20 to 180 days after stent implantation) occurred in 6 cases: Three esophagotracheal fistulae (two with tracheal compression) induced by stent expansion, one stent-induced bleeding and two stent dislocations. After appropriate complication management all but two patients were able to be discharged after a mean of 2.6 days. Multivariate analysis did not show any factors that might have predicted the development of major stent-associated complications. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the self-expandable Ultraflex-stent will efficiently palliate dysphagia, bleeding and fistulae. The 17% risk of major complications seems acceptable regarding the inherent problems of alternative treatment options, like gastrostomy, PEG, nasogastric tube or long-term parenteral feeding.
Authors: Stephen Kucera; James Barthel; Jason Klapman; Ravi Shridhar; Sarah Hoffe; Cynthia Harris; Khaldoun Almhanna; Kenneth Meredith Journal: J Gastrointest Oncol Date: 2016-06