Self-expanding metal stents for the treatment of intrathoracic esophageal anastomotic leaks following esophagectomy.

Intrathoracic anastomotic leakage following resection for esophageal malignancy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Recently, therapy consisted mainly of surgical reexploration and conservative treatment using nasogastric and perianastomotic drainage. This case report shows the feasibility of using fully covered metal esophageal stents to close the anastomotic defect in three patients with esophagectomy for cancer.