[Esophageal prostheses in cancer stenosis. Insertion with the Dumon-Gilliard device. 342 patients]

Endoscopic placement of an oesophageal prosthesis rapidly brings a satisfactory comfort to patients with cancer of the oesophagus beyond the therapeutic stage. When the least traumatic technique and materiel are used, the procedure is simple and safe, irrespective of the patient's general condition and the extent of local or regional lesions. The present possibility to insert, at the same time, a tracheobronchial prosthesis broadens the indication to patients who have an oesophagus-airway fistula or who suffer from compression of the trachea or the left bronchus. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia at the expense of a short hospital stay which is always appreciated by this type of patients. The author's 10-year experience of oesophageal prosthesis placement with the Dumon-Gilliard applicator, is reported.