Korean J Gastrointest Endosc > Volume 18(1); 1998 > Article

Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 1998;18(1): 1-10.

원저 : 식도 위장관 ; 실리콘 피막형 인공식도관을 이용한 악성식도협착 및 식도기관지누공의 치료 ( Original Articles : Esophagus , Stomach & Intestine ; Silicone - Covered Self - Expandable Metal Stents for the Palliation of Malignant Esophageal Obstruction and Esophagorespiratory Fistulas )

이창형, 조재현, 조창민, 권영오, 김성국, 최용환, 정준모 (Chang Hyeong Lee, Jae Hyun Cho, Chang Min Cho, Young Ok Kweon, Sung Kook Kim, Yong Hwan Choi and Joon Mo Chung)

Abstract

Background: Esophageal cancer can induce progressive dysphagia and occasionally develop esophagorespiratory fistulas. Surgically incurable disease is present in over 60% of patients at the time of presentation and in such a means, relief of dysphagia is one of the important treatment modes in the majority of these patients. Implantation of stents is widely used for improvement of dysphagia and sealing of esophagorespiratary fistulas.
Methods:
Silicone-covered self-expandable metal stents were used in 19 consecutive patients with malignant esophageal obstruction(n=14) or esophageal obstruction with esophagorespiratory fistulas (n=5).
Results:
The stents were successfully inserted in all patients. Dysphagia improved in 18 of 19 patients(95%). All fistulas were sealed and symptoms due to bronchial aspiration disappeared. Complications occurred during follow-up including chest pain(11 patients), aspiration pneumonia(4 patients), reflux esophagitis(2 patients), stent migration(2 patients), tumor overgrowth(2 patients) and hemorrhage(1 patient). Three of the 4 patients with aspirtion pneumonias and a patient with hemorrhage suffered from dysfunction of upper esophageal sphincter after implantation of stents in upper esophageal carcinoma. But, Tumor ingrowth and perforation did not occur. Two patients died of massive hemorrhage and respiratory failure caused by aspiration pneumonia.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that implantation of silicone-covered self-expandable metal stents is a rapid and effective procedure for the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal obstruction and esophagorespiratory fistulas. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 18: 1-10, 1998)

Key Words: Esophageal obstruction , Esophagorespiratory fistula , Silicone - covered self - expandable metal stents