Self expandable metallic stent endoscopic insertion in esophageal cancer

To determine the safety of self expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement under endoscopic guidance without fluoroscopy.

Quasi experimental study.

Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Departments of Medicine, Isra University Hospital and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Hyderabad, from April 2006 to March 2009.

In 80 patients with inoperable carcinoma of esophagus, SEMS made-up of nickel titanium alloy and mesh shaped with distal release system were placed without the use of fluoroscope under endoscopic guidance. Patients with proximal location of tumour in esophagus were excluded. They were followed at one week after deployment. All the complications were recorded. Dysphagia score was assessed before and after stent placement. Mean pre- and poststenting scores were compared using t-test.

Fluoroscopy was needed in only 2 patients. In 75 patients the stent was successfully placed with endoscope control only, without fluoroscope. Dysphagia score improved significantly from 4.26+/-1.07 before stenting to 1.02+/-0.57 later, (p<0.001). Minor complications like retrosternal pain occurred in 30 (37.5%) patients and major complications in 8 (10.0%) patients amongst which 4 (5.0%) developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding and 4 patients (5.0%) had aspiration.

Insertion of self expandable metallic stent in esophageal carcinoma without fluoroscope was safe and effective in relieving dysphagia at short term follow-up.