Self-expanding metal stent for relieving the stricture after endoscopic injection for esophageal varices

Esophageal stricture is one of the complications after esophageal varices sclerotherapy injection (ESI), and the incidence rate is between 2%-10%.

To explore the efficacy of self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) for the stricture after endoscopic injection with cyanoacrylate (CYA) and sclerotherapy for esophageal varices.

We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of SEMS to improve the stricture after endoscopic injection with CYA and sclerotherapy for esophageal varices in 4 patients from February 2023 to June 2023.

The strictures were improved in four patients after stenting. The stent was removed after two weeks because of chest pain with embedding into esophageal mucosa in one patient. The stent was removed after one month, however, the stent was reinserted because of the strictures happening again in two patients. The stent was removed after three months, however, the stent was reinserted because of the strictures happening again in one patient. The stent embedded into esophageal mucosa in three patients. There were 3 patients suffered reflux esophagitis, and the acid reflux was relieved by taking hydrotalcite. There was no other complication of esophageal perforation, bleeding from varices or infection.

SEMS may relieve the stricture which happened after endoscopic injection with CYA and sclerotherapy for esophageal varices. However, when we should remove the stent still needs to be explored.