Palliative therapy using polyurethane-covered self-expandable metallic stents for malignant esophageal strictures:...

To evaluate the utility and limitations of palliative stenting with polyurethane-covered self-expandable metallic stents, 6 patients (3 males and 3 females ranging in age from 58-85 [mean 72.1] years) with malignant esophageal strictures were treated with these stents between April 1993 and October 1995. Three had esophageal carcinoma, two had gastric carcinoma and one had lung carcinoma. Song-type self-expandable metallic stents were inserted by intubation under local laryngeal anesthesia. A retriever was attached in 4 stents and an anti-reflux mechanism was attached in 2 stents placed over the esophagocardiac strictures. The stents were placed successfully in all patients, and no major complication related to intubation was encountered. All the stents fully expanded within 3 days after insertion. The grade of dysphagia was improved in 5 (83%) of the 6 patients. One stent was extracted using a retriever in one patient with no improvement. No reflux symptoms were observed in 2 patients whom received stents with an anti-reflux mechanism. No blockage of the stent due to food impaction or secondary stricture occurred in any patient during the observation period. One stent migrated into the stomach in one patient 27 days after insertion. Esophageal stenting with polyurethane-covered self-expandable metallic stents is a relatively safe and effective palliation for malignant esophageal strictures.