[Stent implantation as a palliative therapeutic measure in tumor-induced stenoses of the large veins of the body].

PURPOSE

Self-expandable metallic stents were used to treat patients with malignant venous obstructions to determine their effectiveness in producing symptomatic palliation.

METHODS

20 patients with a total of 28 tumour-induced obstructions of the superior vena cava (n = 13), the inferior vena cava (n = 4), the subclavian (n = 4), the innominate (n = 5) and the iliac veins (n = 2) were treated with self-expandable metallic stents. 38 Gianturco stents and 21 Wallstents were applied. Patients were heparinised during the procedure and up to three days afterwards.

RESULTS

In all patients correct positioning of the stents was achieved. In 16 patients stent placement resulted in relief of their symptoms. In 8 patients the symptoms completely disappeared without recurrence until death as a result of tumour progression. The follow-up ranged from 10 days to 14 months. In 8 still living patients no re-obstruction occurred (follow-up average three months). In one patient thrombotic stent occlusion occurred 6 days after the procedure; the v. cava superior was reopened again by local urokinase therapy. Three patients finally developed re-occlusion due to tumour progression. In one patient stent placement was complicated by migration of the Gianturco stent one day after stent implantation and reocclusion of the subclavian vein.

CONCLUSION

The application of self-expandable metallic stents in patients with malignant venous obstruction is a useful palliative therapy.