[Self-expandable metallic stent for palliation of unresectable esophagogastric malignancies]

While self-expandable metallic stents (EMS) have been reported to be useful for palliation of unresectable esophagogastric malignancies, complications accompanying such stenting also have been pointed out. Both advantages and disadvantages of EMS stenting are discussed on the basis of 25 cases of esophageal cancer and 5 cases of gastric cancer treated in our institute. Although dysphagia improved in 26 of the 30 patients with stenosis, only 14 of the patients who had been able to ingest more than 1,200 kcal of food could be discharged to their homes. Complications were noted in 12 (48%) of the esophageal cancer patients and 4 (80%) of the gastric cancer patients, including incomplete sealing of esophagorespiratory fistula in 6, tumor ingrown in 3, mucosal hyperplasia in 2, stent migration in 2 and reflux of digestive juice in 1. The patients with complications took food for shorter periods than those who had no complications. Successful patient outcomes can be achieved by the prevention of complications accompanying stenting and mastering the techniques to overcome those complications described above.