Treatment of cervical esophageal stenosis with a long-term indwelling prosthesis

Intubation of the cervical esophagus with a long-term indwelling prosthesis is described to palliate malignant strictures, and manage benign strictures in high-risk patients. The inner cannula of a Moore design tracheostomy tube was used as the prosthesis. Over a 10-year period, seven cases were managed in this fashion. The tube remained in place in five of seven patients for periods of 1.5 to 11 months, while a pureed or well-masticated soft diet was tolerated. There were no major complications in this small series. Retrograde displacement was the most common minor complication; displacement did not occur in the last two cases after addition of a silicone sponge ring to the distal end of the prosthesis. Pain and discomfort was experienced in two cases, requiring temporary removal in one patient.