Abstract
We evaluated the usefulness and complication of Ultraf lex stent for patients with eso-phageal malignant stenosis. From July 1996 to December 1998, stents were intubated in 13 patients with esophageal stricture caused by inoperable or recurrent esophageal cancer. The stent was placed success-fully in all patient under local anesthesia. Persistent pain over 1 week occurred in only 2 patients and fever on the third day after stenting was found in only one patient with pneumonia. Dysphagia improved in all patients but two suffered from pneumonia 2 weeks after stent intubation. As the stent troubles, insufficient expansion because of rigidity of tumor (2 bare type stents), tumor ingrowth (a bare stent) and pressure necrosis with esophagobronchial fistulla (a covered stent) occurred in 4 patients, but these complications were managed with re-insertion of stent in stent. Aspiration pneumonia was the most frequent complication (8 cases : 54%) after stenting and 7 patients died of pneumonia. Median survival time from stenting was 95 days (range: 19-428 days). Although patients who were discharged were only 7 (54%), the Ultraflex stent offers promise for the effective palliation of malignant esophageal obstruction. To improve the quality of life, it is important not to cause the complication at the time of stent insertion, to manage quickly for stent trouble and to continue the treatment for esophageal cancer.
