Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, cilt.10, sa.1, ss.18-23, 1999 (Scopus)
Fourteen patients with malignant inoperable esophageal obstruction (carcinoma of the esophagus n=4, carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction n=5, tumor recurrence at the esophagogastrostomy and esophagojejunostomy zone n=3, lung cancer infiltrating into the esophagus n=2 one with a large bronchoesophageal fistula-) and high grade dysphagia were treated with self- expanding metal stents (Litinol stents-Esophacoil, Ultraflex-wall stents and Ultraflex-covered wall stent). The degree of palliation was expressed as a dysphagia score (0-4) before and after stent insertion. Stents were inserted under endoscopic and fluoroscopic control. They were placed successfully and without severe complications in all patients. The dysphagia score decreased significantly from a mean of 3.6 ± 0.6 to a mean of 1.4 ± 0.7 after stent insertion (p<0.05). Four patients experienced recurrent dysphagia (tumor ingrowth into stent n=3, food impaction n=1) and they were treated with an endoscopic intervention (desobliteration n=1, over stenting n=1, balloon dilation n=2). At the end of the study, five patients were alive and nine patients were ceased, with a mean survival of 4.7 months (3-8 months). In conclusion; self expanding metal stents provide rapid, safe and very effective palliation for patients with esophageal obstruction due to inoperable cancer.