Efficacy and safety of biodegradable stents for refractory benign esophageal strictures: the BEST (Biodegradable Esophageal Stent) study

Stents for benign and malignant esophageal strictures

This paper presents commentaries on endotherapy for esophageal perforation/leaks; treatment of esophageal perforation; whether esophageal stents should be used for treating benign esophageal strictures; what determines the optimal stenting period in benign esophageal strictures/leaks; how to choose an esophageal stent; how a new fistula secondary to an esophageal stent should be treated; which strategy should be adopted when a fistula of a cervical anastomosis occurs; intralesional steroids for refractory esophageal strictures; balloon and bougie dilators for esophageal strictures and predictors of response to dilation; whether refractory strictures from different etiologies respond differently to endotherapy; surgical therapy of benign esophageal strictures; and whether stenoses following severe esophageal burns should be treated by esophageal resection or esophageal bypass.

Self-dilation as a treatment for resistant, benign esophageal strictures

GOALS AND BACKGROUND

Simple benign strictures may be relieved with one to three dilation sessions. Resistant benign strictures are anatomically complex and resistant to therapy. We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of esophageal self-dilation with bougie dilators in the largest series to date.

STUDY

A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who underwent esophageal self-dilation at two tertiary referral centers (Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona and Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota) between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2012. Demographic details and clinical information regarding relief of dysphagia, complications, and frequency of endoscopic and self-dilation were abstracted.

RESULTS

Of the 32 patients who began self-dilation for nonmalignant strictures, 30 [22 men; median (range) age, 62 years (22-86 years)] were included in the study. Median (range) follow-up was 37 months (14-281 months). Stricture etiology included radiation therapy (n = 8), anastomotic stricture (n = 9), eosinophilic esophagitis (n = 4), caustic ingestion (n = 3), photodynamic therapy (n = 2), granulation tissue (n = 2), peptic stricture (n = 1) and one patient had radiation therapy and peptic stricture. The average number (range) of physician performed dilations before self-dilation was 12 (4-55). Esophageal self-dilation was successful in treating 90 % of patients. Dysphagia score (2 vs. 1; P < 0.001), stricture diameter (median; 5 vs. 12 mm; P < 0.001) and weight (median; 73 vs. 77 kg; P < 0.001) were significantly different between EDG dilation versus self-dilation.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal self-dilation is a safe, effective treatment for resistant, benign esophageal strictures. This management strategy should be strongly considered in this patient population.

Endoscopic repair of post-surgical gastrointestinal complications

Complications following gastrointestinal surgery may require re-intervention, can lead to prolonged hospitalization, and significantly increase health costs. Some complications, such as anastomotic leakage, fistula, and stricture require a multidisciplinary approach. Therapeutic endoscopy may play a pivotal role in these conditions, allowing minimally invasive treatment. Different endoscopic approaches, including fibrin glue injection, endoclips, self-expanding stents, and endoscopic vacuum-assisted devices have been introduced for both anastomotic leakage and fistula treatment. Similarly endoscopic treatments, such as endoscopic dilation, incisional therapy, and self-expanding stents have been used for anastomotic strictures. All these techniques can be safely performed by skilled endoscopists, and may achieve a high technical success rate in both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Here we will review the endoscopic management of post-surgical complications; these techniques should be considered as first-line approach in selected patients, allowing to avoid re-operation, reduce hospital stay, and decrease costs.

The use of biodegradable stents in malignant oesophageal strictures for the treatment of dysphagia before neoadjuvant treatment or radical radiotherapy: a feasibility study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical results of the use of biodegradable oesophageal stents in malignant strictures.

METHODS

Eleven patients were included in this prospective analysis in which a woven polydioxanone biodegradable oesophageal stent was used. The inclusion criterion was that the patient underwent neoadjuvant treatment or radical radiotherapy after the stent insertion. Primary end points were dysphagia score at discharge, stent patency, and complication rate. Secondary end points were overall survival and surgical outcome of surgery.

RESULTS

There was a 100% procedure technical success rate. Early complications occurred in three patients resulting in failure to restore oral nutrition. In the remaining eight patients, dysphagia was significantly improved at discharge. Mean stent patency rate in this group was 71.5 days. Stent dysfunction occurred in five of eight patients (62.5%); in two of five patients this was due to local inflammatory reaction, and in three of five patients it was due to tumour growth after a mean time of 97.8 days, and a new metallic stent was consequently placed in four of five patients. One patient was successfully treated with esophagectomy. At the end of follow-up (mean time 102.1 days), three of eight stents were patent. The overall patient survival rate was 81.8%.

CONCLUSION

Although short-term dysphagia scores improved, biodegradable stents do not appear to offer a clear beneficial effect in most cases of malignant strictures, particularly due to a local inflammatory reaction that may be induced. Technical improvement of the device and delineation of the patient group that would benefit from its use is necessary if further studies are to be conducted in the future.

Evidence-based recommendations on upper gastrointestinal tract stenting: a report from the stent study group of the korean society of gastrointestinal endoscopy

Endoscopic stents have evolved dramatically over the past 20 years. With the introduction of uncovered self-expanding metal stents in the early 1990s, they are primarily used to palliate symptoms of malignant obstruction in patients with inoperable gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. At present, stents have emerged as an effective, safe, and less invasive alternative for the treatment of malignant GI obstruction. Clinical decisions about stent placement should be made based on the exact understanding of the patient's condition. These recommendations based on a critical review of the available data and expert consensus are made for the purpose of providing endoscopists with information about stent placement. These can be helpful for management of patients with inoperable cancer or various nonmalignant conditions in the upper GI tract.

Caustic injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract: A comprehensive review

Prevention has a paramount role in reducing the incidence of corrosive ingestion especially in children, yet this goal is far from being reached in developing countries, where such injuries are largely unreported and their true prevalence simply cannot be extrapolated from random articles or personal experience. The specific pathophysiologic mechanisms are becoming better understood and may have a role in the future management and prevention of long-term consequences, such as esophageal strictures. Whereas the mainstay of diagnosis is considered upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, computed tomography and ultrasound are gaining a more significant role, especially in addressing the need for emergency surgery, whose morbidity and mortality remains high even in the best hands. The need to perform emergency surgery has a persistent long-term negative impact both on survival and functional outcome. Medical or endoscopic prevention of stricture is debatable, yet esophageal stents, absorbable or not, show promising data. Dilatation is the first therapeutic option for strictures and bougies should be considered especially for long, multiple and tortuous narrowing. It is crucial to avoid malnutrition, especially in developing countries where management strategies are influenced by malnutrition and poor clinical conditions. Late reconstructive surgery, mainly using colon transposition, offers the best results in referral centers, either in children or adults, but such a difficult surgical procedure is often unavailable in developing countries. Possible late development of esophageal cancer, though probably overemphasized, entails careful and long-term endoscopic screening.

Esophageal stents in malignant and benign disorders

Endoscopic stent placement is an effective palliative treatment for malignant dysphagia and fistula, leading to rapid symptom relief. However, recurrent dysphagia and other stent-related complications are common, for which reason continuously new design modifications are implemented. Although some of these changes facilitate stent placement, complications remain and occur at similar rates. Recently, stents have also been used in benign esophageal disorders. Covered stents have the ability to effectively seal esophageal perforations and leaks, reducing the need for invasive surgery. This benefit does not pertain to patients with refractory benign esophageal strictures, in whom stents have limited long-term effect and are associated with a high complication rate. The initial results of fully covered metal stents in refractory esophageal variceal bleeding are encouraging, but their definite role remains to be further elucidated. This review provides an overview of indications, techniques, and management of complications of stents in malignant and benign esophageal disease.

Biodegradable stents for caustic esophageal strictures: a new therapeutic approach

The treatment of caustic esophageal strictures is a challenging topic. Although traditional therapies have limited efficacy, most of these patients eventually require surgery. Biodegradable (BD) stents are newly designed stents for benign conditions. This is a retrospective case series of seven patients with caustic esophageal stricture. BD esophageal stents were inserted for palliation of dysphagia. The position of the stent was checked at 1, 4, 8, 12 16, 20, and 24 weeks and at the end of follow-up period. The follow-up period was 60 ± 23 (36-102) weeks. Complete dissolution of the stent occurred at 16 ± 4 (12-20) weeks. Three patients had partial/complete relief of dysphagia. The remaining four patients experienced tissue hyperplasia at the edges of the stent and required serial dilations. At the end of follow-up, all patients had partial or complete relief of dysphagia. Although BD stents have some efficiency, tissue hyperplasia is the main limiting factor. Further randomized trials are needed to determine efficiency of BD stents for caustic damage.

Complications of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection

Endoscopic resection is now a widely accepted treatment for early gastric cancer, having a negligible risk of lymph-node metastasis. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a relatively new endoscopic resection method developed in the mid-1990 s that facilitates en-bloc resection even in patients with large or ulcerative lesions difficult to resect using conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). However, compared to EMR, ESD requires a longer procedure time and a higher level of technical expertise, in addition to having a slightly greater risk of complications. Endoscopists must be aware of not only the risk factors for, and incidence of, complications, but also how to effectively treat such complications. Perforation and bleeding are the major complications associated with gastric ESD. The perforation and delayed bleeding rates have been reported to range from 1.2% to 5.2% and 0% to 15.6%, respectively, and can usually be managed with appropriate endoscopic treatment. Immediate bleeding during gastric ESD is quite common and controlling such bleeding, which is primarily achieved by carrying out electrocautery, plays a critical role in the successful completion of ESD.

A retrospective analysis of early and late outcome of biodegradable stent placement in the management of refractory anastomotic colorectal strictures

BACKGROUND

Benign colorectal strictures are treated conventionally by endoscopic dilation. Experience using SEMS for benign colonic strictures is limited, and outcomes to date have been disappointing. Refractory colorectal strictures remain challenging to be treated with surgery. Polydioxanone-based stent are biodegradable (BD) stent CE approved for esophageal strictures. This study was designed to investigate retrospectively the safety and the efficacy of these stents for the management of strictures refractory to multiple sessions of dilation.

METHODS

Patients with postsurgical benign strictures located within 20 cm from anal verge, refractory to mechanical or pneumatic dilation (at least 3 sessions) were included in this analysis. Clinical success was defined as the absence of occlusive symptoms and the ability to pass through the stricture with a regular size colonoscope. All patients were predilated before stent placement. Stents were released under fluoroscopic control. All patients were under stool softeners for 3 months. Follow-up was scheduled with endoscopic and fluoroscopic controls within 90 days from stent deployment and afterwards by telephone interview and/or ambulatory consultation.

RESULTS

Eleven patients (7 males, mean age 62.3 ± 8.5 years) were included. Technical success was achieved in all the patients. Stent migration was observed in four patients within the first 2 weeks after stent placement. Stent migration was followed by recurrence of stricture and obstructive symptoms in all the cases. Among the seven patients who completed the process of stent biodegradation, five of them had complete resolution of the stricture and relief of symptoms. Two of 11 patients required surgical treatment during the follow-up period (mean 19.8 (range 42-15) months). The overall success rate of the BD stent was 45 %.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective analysis of a limited number of patients demonstrated that nondedicated esophageal BD stents are associated with high risk of migration and clinical success in less than 50 % of patients. Dedicated stents with large diameter and antimigration findings could potentially improve the outcome of patients with refractory benign colorectal strictures.

[Management of caustic esophagitis in children]

In children, caustic ingestion is due to accidents at home and inadequate storage of caustic agents. In emergency, it is useful to remove the soiled clothes, rinse the affected area, and prevent vomiting and feeding. Caustic ingestion (pH<2 or>12) induces burns of the upper gastrointestinal tract requiring esophagogastro-duodenoscopy between H12 and H24. Strong alkalis cause necrosis with liquefaction of the esophagus, penetrating deeply with a high-risk of perforation. Management of these children requires a specialized care center with an intensive care unit, endoscopic equipment, and a surgical team. Esophageal stricture is the main complication; no prophylactic treatment (steroids) is effective. Strictures occur after the 3rd week, and barium swallow should be performed by the end of the 1st month. Stricture are often multiple, long, and tortuous; endoscopic dilatation is difficult with a high-rate of perforation and a low-rate of success. In situ application of mitomycin C or injection of triamcinolone could reduce the recurrence rate of stricture. In recalcitrant or recurrent strictures, it is recommended to perform an esophageal replacement using a colonic interposition or a gastric tube. Endoscopy should also be performed 15-20years after caustic ingestion to screen for early neoplastic lesions. Prevention is very important for avoiding caustic ingestions. Information and education should be given specifically to the parents of toddlers; caustic products should be stored out of reach of children and they should not be kept with food.

Biodegradable esophageal stent placement does not prevent high-grade stricture formation after circumferential mucosal resection in a porcine model

BACKGROUND

Advanced esophageal dysplasia and early cancers have been treated traditionally with esophagectomy. Endoscopic esophageal mucosectomy (EEM) offers less-invasive therapy, but high-degree stricture formation limits its applicability. We hypothesized that placement of a biodegradable stent (BD-stent) immediately after circumferential EEM would prevent stricturing.

METHODS

Ten pigs (five unstented controls, five BD-stent) were utilized. Under anesthesia, a flexible endoscope with a band ligator and snare was used to incise the mucosa approximately 20 cm proximal to the lower esophageal sphincter. A 10-cm, circumferential, mucosal segment was dissected and excised by using snare electrocautery. In the stented group, an 18-×120-mm, self-expanding, woven polydioxanone stent (ELLA-CS, Hradec-Kralove) was deployed. Weekly esophagograms evaluated for percent reduction in esophageal diameter, stricture length, and proximal esophageal dilation. Animals were euthanized when the stricture exceeded 80% and were unable to gain weight (despite high-calorie liquid diet) or at 14 weeks.

RESULTS

The control group rapidly developed esophageal strictures; no animal survived beyond the third week of evaluation. At 2 weeks post-EEM, the BD-stent group had a significant reduction in esophageal diameter (77.7 vs. 26.6%, p < 0.001) and degree of proximal dilation (175 vs. 131%, p = 0.04) compared with controls. Survival in the BD-stent group was significantly longer than in the control group (9.2 vs. 2.4 weeks, p = 0.01). However, all BD-stent animals ultimately developed clinically significant strictures (range, 4-14 weeks). Comparison between the maximum reduction in esophageal diameter and stricture length (immediately before euthanasia) demonstrated no differences between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Circumferential EEM results in severe stricture formation and clinical deterioration within 3 weeks. BD-stent placement significantly delays the time of clinical deterioration from 2.4 to 9.2 weeks, but does not affect the maximum reduction in esophageal diameter or proximal esophageal dilatation. The timing of stricture formation in the BD-stent group correlated with the loss radial force and stent disintegration.

Combination of biodegradable stent placement and single-dose brachytherapy is associated with an unacceptably high complication rate in the treatment of dysphagia from esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

For the palliative treatment of dysphagia, esophageal stent placement provides immediate improvement, whereas brachytherapy offers better long-term relief.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate safety and efficacy of concurrent brachytherapy and biodegradable stent placement.

DESIGN

Prospective, single-arm study.

SETTING

Two tertiary-care referral centers.

PATIENTS

Nineteen consecutive patients with significant dysphagia resulting from unresectable esophageal cancer, with a life expectancy of more than 3 months.

INTERVENTION

Single-dose brachytherapy (12 Gy) on day 1 followed by biodegradable stent placement on day 2.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Intervention-related major complications (determined by an expert panel) and dysphagia.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (13 men, median age 66 years [interquartile range (IQR) 59-71] years) were included; 7 patients (37%) also received palliative chemotherapy. After inclusion of 19 patients, the study was ended prematurely because the safety threshold was exceeded. In total, 28 major complications occurred in 17 patients (89%). In 9 patients (47%), major complications were determined intervention-related (severe retrosternal pain with or without vomiting [n = 6], hematemesis [n = 1], recurrent dysphagia [n = 2]. Dysphagia scores decreased significantly from a median of 3 (IQR 3-4) to a median of 1 (IQR 0-3) after 1 month (P < .001). Despite adequate luminal patency in 17 patients (89%), normal diet could not be tolerated in 7 patients (37%) because of retrosternal pain and vomiting.

LIMITATIONS

Lack of routine endoscopy or contrast esophagram to evaluate recurrent dysphagia during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Despite restoration of luminal patency, a combined treatment of brachytherapy and biodegradable stent placement cannot be recommended for the palliative treatment of esophageal cancer because of an unacceptably high intervention-related major complication rate.

A comparison of the temporary placement of 3 different self-expanding stents for the treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures: a prospective multicentre study

Background

Refractory benign esophageal strictures (RBESs) have been treated with the temporary placement of different self-expanding stents with conflicting results. We compared the clinical effectiveness of 3 types of stents: self-expanding plastic stents (SEPSs), biodegradable stents, and fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMSs), for the treatment of RBES.

Methods

This study prospectively evaluated 3 groups of 30 consecutive patients with RBESs who underwent temporary placement of either SEPSs (12 weeks, n = 10), biodegradable stents (n = 10) or FCSEMSs (12 weeks, n = 10). Data were collected to analyze the technical success and clinical outcome of the stents as evaluated by recurrent dysphagia, complications and reinterventions.

Results

Stent implantation was technically successful in all patients. Migration occurred in 11 patients: 6 (60%) in the SEPS group, 2 (20%) in the biodegradable group and 3 (30%) in the FCSEMS group (P = 0.16). A total of 8/30 patients (26.6%) were dysphagia-free after the end of follow-up: 1 (10%) in the SEPS group, 3 (30%) in the biodegradable group and 4 (40%) in the FCSEMS group (P = 0.27). More reinterventions were required in the SEPS group (n = 24) than in the biodegradable group (n = 13) or the FCSEMS group (n = 13) (P = 0.24). Multivariate analysis showed that stricture length was significantly associated with higher recurrence rates after temporary stent placement (HR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.08-1.75; P = 0.011).

Conclusions

Temporary placement of a biodegradable stent or of a FCSEMS in patients with RBES may lead to long-term relief of dysphagia in 30 and 40% of patients, respectively. The use of SEPSs seems least preferable, as they are associated with frequent stent migration, more reinterventions and few cases of long-term improvement. Additionally, longer strictures were associated with a higher risk of recurrence.

Reducing complications in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

This article reviews the principal aspects related to sedation in endoscopy and to the prevention of adverse events in some of the most frequently performed therapeutic upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic procedures (esophageal dilation and stenting, endoscopic resection of upper GI early neoplasia, hemostasis of upper GI bleeding and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion). These procedures have an inherent risk of negative outcomes that cannot be entirely avoided. Endoscopic procedures are best performed by well-trained, competent and thoughtful endoscopists in facilities suited to provide for patient safety. Attention to clinical risk management may effectively reduce the frequency and intensity of adverse events, enhance recognition and early detection, and improve responsiveness.

A new fully covered metal stent for the treatment of benign and malignant dysphagia: a prospective follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) are increasingly being used for malignant and benign strictures. Particularly in the latter, FCSEMSs are known for their high migration rates. A new FCSEMS with a dog-bone shape and internal covering was developed to reduce migration risk.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate recurrent dysphagia and safety of the new FC stent in benign and malignant esophageal disorders.

DESIGN

Prospective follow-up study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Between November 2009 and February 2011, 48 consecutive patients (mean age 61 years, range 28-81 years) underwent FC stent placement for malignant (n = 33) or benign (n = 15) dysphagia.

INTERVENTION

FC stent placement.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Recurrent dysphagia and complications.

RESULTS

Indications for FC stent placement included esophageal cancer (n = 28), extrinsic malignant compression (n = 4), recurrent malignancy after esophagectomy (n = 1), and refractory benign esophageal stricture (n = 15). In malignant strictures, recurrent dysphagia occurred in 5 patients (15%) because of stent migration (n = 3), tissue overgrowth (n = 1), and acute edema (n = 1). In benign strictures, stents were prematurely removed in 9 (60%) patients because of stent migration (n = 5), tissue overgrowth (n = 3), and pain (n = 1). Recurrent dysphagia occurred in all patients after stent removal. Major complications occurred in 10 patients (30%) with malignant strictures and in 3 patients (20%) with benign strictures and included severe pain and/or vomiting (n = 8), fistula formation (n = 2), bleeding (n = 2), and aspiration pneumonia (n = 1).

LIMITATION

Nonrandomized study design.

CONCLUSION

Although the new FC stent effectively treats malignant dysphagia, it is associated with substantial major complications. In patients with refractory benign esophageal strictures, recurrent dysphagia occurs rapidly after removal of the new FC stent.

Stent placement for esophageal strictures: an update

The use of stents for esophageal strictures has evolved rapidly over the past 10 years, from rigid plastic tubes to flexible self-expanding metal (SEMS), plastic (SEPS) and biodegradable stents. For the palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia both SEMS and SEPS effectively provide a rapid relief of dysphagia. SEMS are preferred over SEPS, as randomized controlled trials have shown more technical difficulties and late migration with plastic stents. Despite specific characteristics of recently developed stents, recurrent dysphagia due to food impaction, tumoral and nontumoral tissue overgrowth, or stent migration, remain a major challenge. The efficacy of stents with an antireflux valve for patients with distal esophageal cancer varies between different stent designs. Concurrent treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy seems to be safe and effective. In the future, it can be expected that removable stents will be used as a bridge to surgery to maintain luminal patency during neoadjuvant treatment. For benign strictures, new stent designs, such as fully covered SEMS and biodegradable stents, may potentially reduce complications during stent removal.

The use of biodegradable (SX-ELLA) oesophageal stents to treat dysphagia due to benign and malignant oesophageal disease

BACKGROUND

Biodegradable (BD) oesophageal stents have been available commercially only since 2008 and previous published research is limited. Our aim was to review the use of BD stents to treat dysphagia in benign or malignant oesophageal strictures.

METHODS

Patients were identified from a prospective interventional radiological database. BD stents were inserted radiologically under fluoroscopic control.

RESULTS

Between July 2008 and February 2011, 25 attempts at placing SX-ELLA biodegradable oesophageal stents were made in 17 males and five females, with a median age of 69 (range = 54-80) years. Two patients required more than one BD stent. Indications were benign strictures (n = 7) and oesophageal cancer (n = 17). One attempt was unsuccessful for a technical success rate of 96% with no immediate complications. Clinical success rate was 76%. Median dysphagia score before stent insertion was 3 (range = 2-4) compared to 2 (range = 0-3) after stent insertion (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

BD stents provide good dysphagia relief for the life time of the stent. They may help avoid the use of feeding tubes in patients having radical chemoradiotherapy or awaiting oesophagectomy. They do not require removal or interfere with radiotherapy planning via imaging. However, the reintervention rate is high after the stent dissolves.

Clinical outcomes, quality of life, advantages and disadvantages of metal stent placement in the upper gastrointestinal tract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review will discuss the immediate- and long-term success, complications and overall benefits of self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) in malignant or benign obstruction of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. Over recent years, indications such as benign disease have expanded, as has SEMS diversity with self-expandable plastic stents (SEPSs) or fully covered and biodegradable stents, for example.

RECENT FINDINGS

SEMSs have been increasingly used in malignant upper gastrointestinal obstruction with many reports confirming efficacy, despite a significant complication rate. Fully covered stents are increasingly used for a variety of benign oesophageal disease, but their place in gastric outlet obstruction is still unclear. Covered and uncovered stents have different functional characteristics and stent type must be selected on an individual basis. Biodegradable stents show promise and the outcome of experience in larger patient cohorts is eagerly awaited.

SUMMARY

This area is an evolving field, in which the clinician requires up-to-date knowledge of therapeutic options to make individualized treatment choices in difficult clinical circumstances. Technical and clinical success for oesophageal or gastroduodenal SEMSs are then above 90%. Minor complications are common, but serious complications seldom occur. Biodegradable stents may be useful, especially when stenting is needed for a short period of time.

Endoscopic management of difficult or recurrent esophageal strictures

Esophageal strictures are a common problem in gastroenterological practice. In general, the management of malignant or benign esophageal strictures is different and requires a different treatment approach. In daily clinical practice, stent placement is a commonly used modality for the palliation of incurable malignant strictures causing dysphagia, whereas, if available, intraluminal brachytherapy can be considered in patients with a good performance status. Recurrent dysphagia frequently occurs in malignant cases. In case of tissue in- or overgrowth, a second stent is placed. If stent migration occurs, the stent can be repositioned or a second (preferably partially covered) stent can be placed. Food obstruction of the stent lumen can be resolved by endoscopic cleansing. The cornerstone of the management of benign strictures is still dilation therapy (Savary-Gilliard bougie or balloon). There are a subgroup of strictures that are refractory or recur and an alternative approach is required. In order to prevent stricture recurrence, steroid injections into the stricture followed by dilation can be considered. In case of anastomotic strictures or Schatzki rings, incisional therapy is a safe method in experienced hands. Temporary stent placement is a third option before considering self-bougienage or surgery as a salvage treatment. In this review, the most frequently used endoscopic treatment modalities for malignant and benign stricture management will be discussed based on the available literature, and some practical information for the management in daily clinical practice will be provided.

Self-expanding metal stent insertion for inoperable esophageal carcinoma in Belfast: an audit of outcomes and literature review

Successful palliation of dysphagia in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma has a major effect on quality of life. Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are currently recommended for rapid symptomatic relief when life expectancy is less than 3 months. We assessed complication and reintervention rates along with survival outcomes in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma undergoing stent insertion. A retrospective audit was performed from April 2007 to June 2009 for all inoperable primary esophageal carcinoma patients who had an esophageal stent inserted for dysphagia. Case notes were reviewed for clinical, pathological, stent and complication details, while ICD-10 causes of death were obtained from the Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland. Fifty-six stents were inserted into 53 patients (66.0% male, mean age of 70 years). Inoperability was defined by metastatic spread (n= 34, 64.2%), locally advanced disease (n= 7, 13.2%), and severe medical comorbidities (n= 12, 22.6%). The median time from diagnosis to stent insertion was 109 (interquartile range [IQR] 43-187) days. Fifty stents (94.3%) were successfully deployed, while three patients (5.7%) required an additional stent as the primary stent had not bridged the tumor (proximal deployment = 2, suboptimal stent length = 1). Post-SEMS dysphagia scores were significantly better than pre-SEMS scores (2.90 vs. 1.54, P < 0.001). There were 27 complications identified in 23 (43.4%) patients (major complications = 9, minor complications = 14). Twelve patients (22.6%) required additional endoscopic procedures. The 30-day mortality rate was 11.3% (n= 6). Only one patient (1.9%) remains alive with a cumulative median survival rate of 84 (IQR 38-156) days. Esophageal stent insertion in this group of patients still presents a clinical challenge, with complication and endoscopic reintervention rates of 43.4 and 22.6%, respectively. Our results are comparable with previously published series, and as a palliative modality stent insertion remains appropriate when expected survival is less than 3 months. A range of SEMS is currently available with broadly similar efficacy and safety profiles. Data regarding the newly available fully covered SEMS suggest that they should be avoided.

Esophageal stenting in the setting of malignancy

Esophageal cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, with many patients found to have locoregional or metastatic disease at time of diagnosis. Because of this, cure may be unlikely, leading treatment efforts to focus more on symptom palliation and improving patient quality of life. The majority of patients with advanced disease suffer from some degree of dysphagia. Palliative efforts are therefore directed at relieving dysphagia, allowing patients to manage their oropharyngeal secretions, reduce aspiration risk, and maintain caloric intake orally. A variety of endoscopic treatment modalities have been utilized with these objectives in mind, with options determined by the location and size of the tumor, as well as the patient's expected prognosis. In this article, we review the use of endoscopically-placed stents for palliation in patients with advanced esophageal cancer. We discuss the history of stent use in such cases, as well as more recent developments in stent technology. We give an overview of some of the more commonly used stents in practice, discuss the technique of insertion, and survey the short- and long-term outcomes of stent placement.

A comparison of temporary self-expanding plastic and biodegradable stents for refractory benign esophageal strictures

BACKGROUND & AIMS

It is a challenge to manage refractory benign esophageal strictures (RBES). We compared the efficacy and safety of self-expanding plastic stents (SEPSs) with placement of biodegradable stents for the treatment of RBES.

METHODS

We studied 2 groups of consecutive patients with RBES who received temporary placement (6 weeks) of SEPSs (n = 20) or biodegradable stents (n = 18). Data were collected with respect to clinical outcome, complications, recurrent dysphagia, and reinterventions.

RESULTS

SEPSs were removed in 16 (80%) patients. Stent placement was not successful in 1 patient, while stent removal was not performed in another 3 patients. Six (30%) patients with an SEPS were dysphagia-free after a median follow-up of 385 days (range, 77-924 days). Ten (50%) developed recurrent dysphagia. Major complications occurred in 2 patients (10%; 1 with hemorrhage and 1 with perforation). Six patients (33%) with a biodegradable stent were dysphagia-free after a median follow-up of 166 days (range 21-559 days) (P = .83 compared with SEPS). Twelve patients (67%) had recurrent dysphagia. Major complications occurred in 4 patients (22%; 2 with hemorrhage, 2 with severe retrosternal pain) with a biodegradable stent (P = .30 compared with SEPS). Reinterventions were less frequently indicated after biodegradeble stent than after SEPS placement (15 [mean, 0.8 ± 0.6 per stent placed] vs 21 [mean, 1.3 ± 0.4 per stent placed], respectively; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Placement of SEPSs or biodegradable stents provides long-term relief of dysphagia in 30% and 33%, respectively, of patients with RBES. Biodegradable stents require fewer procedures than SEPSs, offering an advantage. Although stent placement is a viable strategy in patients with RBES, the ideal strategy still needs to be defined.

Expandable stents for benign esophageal disease

Partially covered self-expandable esophageal stents have been associated with unacceptable complications when used for benign esophageal disorders. With the introduction of removable or potentially removable fully covered stents and biodegradable stents, interest in using expandable stents for benign indications has been revived. Although expandable stents can offer a minimally invasive alternative to surgery, they can be associated with serious complications; hence, this approach should be considered in carefully selected patients, preferably on a protocol basis.

Expandable metal stents: principles and tissue responses

Expandable stents are widely used in gastroenterology. The basic principle of all of these devices is that they can be constrained onto a delivery system of small diameter and then deployed in an area of stenosis without the risk of complications due to excessive dilation. Understanding tissue responses to stents is important both for the design of new stents and for clinicians to balance the benefits and risks of covered and uncovered stents. With biodegradable stents and removable stents, understanding tissue responses provides the basis for timing of removal and assessing treatment response.