2003 Volume 45 Issue 6 Pages 1061-1067
According to the excellent characteristics of expandable metallic stent (EMS), stenting has been established as an important palliative treatment for patients with malignant stenosis in the digestive system. However, stenting is not yet widely performed in the gastric outlet obstruction, because the placement of EMS into gastroduodenal obstruction is more difficult compared to the stenting for esophageal stricture. We applied the covered EMS to 72 y.o. patient with malignant gastric outlet obstruction. The patient became possible to intake solid diet, and could be discharged from hospital. The quality of life (QOL) was improved in the patient after successful stenting. For the stent obstruction due to tumor growth, additional insertion of the second stent was effective. We developed the useful method of EMS endoprosthesis for gastric outlet obstruction. Further efforts will be required to improve the method of stenting and EMS itself, in order to spread the stent endoprosthesis for malignant gastroduodenal obstruction and improve the QOL of patients.
