Esophageal prosthesis and its most common complications

Plastic prostheses of our own modification introduced under endoscopic control, have been successfully used in 46 patients with advanced malignant or scarred stenosis of the esophagus. Despite maximum care, their introduction is associated with a certain risk of complications and incidents. In our series, the introduction of a prosthesis was complicated by perforation of the canceromatous esophageal wall in 2 patients (0.5%), and by an esophagobronchial fistula observed 12 days post-operatively in 1 patient (0,25%). To preclude fatal mediastinal complications following perforation of the esophagus by the prosthesis, X-ray examination of its patency employing water-soluble contrast media in the early stages after surgery is recommended even before peroral nutrition is resumed.