Impact of a new conceptualized anti-reflux Trumpet stent on the quality of life of patients with advanced carcinoma of the cardio-oesophageal junction.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate a newly developed, self-expandable anti-reflux Trumpet (ART) stent customized for cardio oesophageal junctional (COJ) cancer on the feasibility of deployment, stent migration, quality of life, and symptom relief.

DESIGN

Prospective case series, Proof of concept pilot study.

SETTING

Tertiary Health Care Center, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban, Malaysia. Department of Surgery.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 17 patients diagnosed with advanced COJ tumour and who had never undergone any surgical, endoscopic, or chemoradiotherapy and indicated for stenting were recruited.

INTERVENTIONS

The study period was over nine months, and follow-up was one-month post-stenting.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Endpoint measures were feasibility of deployment of the new design, symptoms relief, early stent migration, early complication, GERD Q score, and (QOL)assessment.

RESULTS

The ART stent was inserted successfully in all cases (17/17, 100%). There were two stent migrations due to the flexibility of the stent at the neck. There were no early or post-stenting one-month complications associated with the procedure. A good flow of contrast was seen in all the stents deployed. GERD Q score was low in all patients pre and post-stenting. Post-stenting there was a relief of dysphagia, weight gain, and a 60% improvement in QOL score.

CONCLUSIONS

ART stent is feasible and technically successful in COJ tumours. It provides good symptom relief, improves the QOL, and has minimal early complications.

FUNDING

None declared.