Brief Reports
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2005; 11(3): 451-453
Published online Jan 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i3.451
Clinical application of metallic stents in treatment of esophageal carcinoma
Hai-Shan Yang, Lin-Bo Zhang, Tian-Wei Wang, Yong-Sheng Zhao, Lin Liu
Hai-Shan Yang, Tian-Wei Wang, Yong-Sheng Zhao, Lin Liu, Department of Radiology, Sino-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130031, Jilin Province, China
Lin-Bo Zhang, Department of Radiology, 208 Hospital of PLA, Changchun 130062, Jilin Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Medical Science and Technology Foundation during the 9th Five-Year Plan Period, No. 969070304
Correspondence to: Professor Hai-Shan Yang, Department of Radiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130031, Jilin Province, China. jifs@mail.china.com
Telephone: +86-431-4643636 Fax: +86-431-4641026
Received: November 21, 2003
Revised: November 26, 2003
Accepted: March 2, 2004
Published online: January 21, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effects of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) in patients with malignant esophageal obstruction and to analyze their prognosis and complications.

METHODS: Seventy-four metallic stents were placed under fluoroscopic guidance in 66 patients with esophageal obstruction secondary to carcinoma, of whom, 6 cases were complicated by fistula.

RESULTS: After seventy-two stents were successfully used in 66 cases without any severe complications (technical successful rate was 97%), the dysphagia score improved from 3.3±0.6 to 0.8±0.5 (P<0.01), and life quality improved significantly in all these patients. All fistulae were sealed immediately after coated stents were inserted in the six patients. New stents were placed in two patients: the stent migrated more than 2 cm, in one patient and the stent slipped into stomach in the other. Minor bleeding was found only in 28 patients during the operation. Reobstruction was found in 12 patients, but was successfully cured under endoscopy. The survival rate was 78%, 57% and 11% for 6 mo, 1 year and 2 years respectively.

CONCLUSION: Placement of SEMS is a simple, safe, quick and efficient surgical method for treating esophageal carcinoma obstruction. It may be used mainly as a palliative treatment of esophageal obstruction secondary to carcinoma.

Keywords: Esophageal carcinoma, Esophageal obstruction, Self-expanding metal stents