Endoscopic palliation of oesophageal carcinoma with Atkinson prosthesis.

To assess the degree of palliation, the associated morbidity and mortality and to compare our results with other published series, we reviewed our use of the Atkinson prosthesis in 100 consecutive patients for the palliation of unresectable oesophageal carcinoma. The group had a mean age of 71.2 +/- 2.3 years. All prostheses were placed by the pulsion method. Intubation was successful in 91%. Improvement in swallowing was seen in 82.1%. Major early procedure-related morbidity was high at 23% with 11 perforations (11%). Procedure-related mortality was 12%. Those aged 70 years or more had a 34.5% risk of morbidity and 15.5% risk of dying from the procedure. Late procedure-related complications requiring further endoscopic procedures occurred in 27%. Our 7 day mortality was 14.7% (14 patients) and 31 patients (32.6%) had died within 30 days, usually from the disease itself. Those surviving the procedure (> 7 days) had a mean survival of 105 (range 9-735) days. We obtained acceptable palliation but with a significant morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic intubation remains a useful palliative treatment for patients with unresectable carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia.