Oesophageal intubation for advanced oesophageal cancer: the Baragwanath experience 1977-1981

Oesophageal intubation was performed for 324 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Peroral pulsion and traction techniques were used. There were 88 deaths in hospital (mortality rate, 27 per cent). The mortality rate did not appear to be directly related to the general condition of the patient or to the experience of the operator. Adequate palliation of dysphagia was achieved in 61 per cent of intubated patients, but a high rate of late complications impaired the quality of life following intubation. It is concluded that the insertion of an oesophageal tube was neither a safe nor satisfactory method for palliation of malignant dysphagia.