Treatment of a malignant esophageal perforation with a prototype conical Wallstent

Feasibility and safety of endoscopic transesophageal access and closure using a Maryland dissector and a self-expanding metal stent

BACKGROUND

Secure access and reliable closure is paramount in the setting of transesophageal mediastinal endoscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to develop a secure transesophageal access technique and to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel covered, self-expanding, retractable stent for closure of 15-mm esophageal defects.

METHODS

Fifteen-millimeter esophagotomies were created in 18 domestic pigs using needle knife puncture and balloon dilatation or a blunt dissection technique. Six animals were randomly assigned to open surgical repair and six animals to endoscopic closure using a self-expanding, covered, nitinol stent (Danis SX-ELLA stent, ELLA-CS) in a nonsurvival setting. Pressurized leak tests were performed on all closures. Six animals underwent transesophageal endoscopic mediastinal interventions and survived for 17 days. Stents were extracted at day 10.

RESULTS

Nonsurvival experiments revealed two bleeding complications associated with the needle-knife access technique, while blunt-dissection mediastinal access was not associated with any complications. Leak test results were not different for stent compared to surgical closures. All survival animals were found to have complete closure and adequate healing of the esophagotomies. No leakage or infectious complication occurred.

CONCLUSION

Blunt dissection achieves safe access into the mediastinum. Stent closure achieves similar leak test results compared to surgical closure and results in adequate sealing and wound healing of 15-mm esophageal defects.

Fluoroscopically guided insertion of self-expandable metal esophageal stents for palliative treatment of patients with malignant stenosis of esophagus and cardia: comparison of uncovered and covered stent types

The aim of this retrospective study was to present and compare the results of using two different types of esophageal self-expanding stents (uncovered and covered) for palliative treatment of patients with inoperable malignant stenosis of the esophagus and cardia. Over a period of 8 years, 152 patients underwent fluoroscopically guided insertion of metal esophageal stents. We inserted uncovered esophageal nitinol Strecker stents in 54 patients (group I) and covered esophageal Ultraflex stents in the remaining 98 patients (group II). The stent insertion procedure was successively performed in all patients. Closure of esophageal fistula by covered stents was achieved in 8/8 patients. Mean dysphagia score was significantly decreased in both patient groups at 4 weeks follow-up: from 2.73 before stent insertion to 0.15 in group I, and from 2.67 to 0.05 in group II (on 0-4 scale). Eighty-eight per cent of patients with covered stents and 54% with uncovered type were free of symptoms during follow-up. Complications occurring during follow-up and their comparative frequency in the two groups of patients were as follows (group I: group II%): stent migration (0:10%); tumor or granulation tissue ingrowth (100:53%); overgrowth at the ends of stents (17:30%); restenosis causing recurrent dysphagia (37:8%); and appearance of esophageal fistulas (8:6%). In conclusion, fluoroscopically guided insertion of self-expandable esophageal stents is a safe and comfortable method of palliation for patients suffering with malignant dysphagia. In selection of a stent, covered types should be given priority for prevention of restenosis.

Delayed complications after esophageal stent placement for treatment of malignant esophageal obstructions and esophagorespiratory fistulas

PURPOSE

To evaluate delayed complications after esophageal expandable metallic stent placement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 1993 to December 1997, 90 expandable metallic stents were placed in 82 consecutive patients with inoperable malignant esophageal obstruction (n = 49) or malignant esophagorespiratory fistula (n = 33). Stents used included covered Gianturco-Rosch Z stents (n = 20), Wallstents (covered, n = 31; uncovered, n = 13), and Ultraflex stents (covered, n = 8; uncovered, n = 10). Patients were followed prospectively and monitored for delayed complications, defined as major (hemorrhage, tracheal compression, stent migration, perforation or fistula formation, granulomatous obstruction, tumor ingrowth and overgrowth, funnel phenomenon, and stent covering disruption) or minor (reflux, chest pain, and food impaction).

RESULTS

Mean survival was 4.5 months after stent placement (range, 3 weeks to 26 months). The overall incidence of delayed complications was 64.6%, with 17 patients (20.7%) experiencing more than one complication. The rates of delayed complications in patients with Z stents, Wallstents, and Ultraflex stents were 75.0%, 68.1%, and 44.4%, respectively (P <.05). Most complications were life-threatening and occurred more frequently when stents were placed in the proximal third of the esophagus, compared with more distally (P <.05). Thirteen patients (15.9%) died from complications directly related to stent placement.

CONCLUSION

Esophageal stent placement for malignant obstruction or fistula is associated with a substantial incidence of delayed complications.