Permanent indwelling Celestin tubes in malignant esophageal strictures

Eighteen patients with unresectable carcinoma of the esophagus were surgically intubated with the Celestin tube. Twelve patients (66.7%) had good palliation and relief of dysphagia. The operation mortality rate was 16.7%, which is in accordance with figures reported for endoscopic intubation of malignant strictures of the esophagus.