Preliminary experience with a new ultraviolet-cured expandable plastic endoprosthesis in the management of malignant esophageal strictures.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Different types of expandable metal stent are currently available for the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal strictures. To overcome some of the disadvantages involved in the design of metal mesh stents, we designed a balloon-expanded plastic endoprosthesis, which is hardened by irradiation with ultraviolet light after deployment. We present here our preliminary results.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From April 1995 to January 1996, four patients with unresectable esophageal malignancies were treated with this stent. Insertion of the stent was the only palliative procedure carried out. The patients were followed up until death.

RESULTS

Stent placement was successful in all patients, and no procedure-related complications occurred. Dysphagia was reduced from an average score of 2.6 to 1.0. Early complications included retrosternal pain of limited duration in one patient. One patient died 72 hours after uncomplicated stent placement, due to cardiac arrhythmia. Late complications were limited to tumor overgrowth in two patients, after a mean of 104 days. The stent patency rate averaged 92 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a malignant esophageal stricture, this newly developed expandable endoprosthesis is effective in relieving dysphagia. The deployment of the stent is easy and safe. The endoprosthesis has potential advantage over current expandable metal mesh stents.