SELF-EXPANDING NITINOL STENT FOR MALIGNANT OBSTRUCTIVE DYSPHAGIA - INITIAL EXPERIENCE

Between July and December 1994, a total of 31 patients with inoperable or unresectable malignant obstruction of the esophagus or esophagogas tric junction were palliated with self-expanding nitinol stents. They were 33 to 86 years old, 55% being 70 years or older. Twenty patients were male. Twenty patients (65%) had squamous cell carcinoma, 10 (32%) had adenocarcinoma and one (3%) had undifferentiated carcinoma. Twent y-five patients (81%) required prestenting dilatation with balloons, b ougies or laser. Stent implantation was successful in 30 patients (97% ) but failed in one. Two patients had minor complications and one pati ent with advanced disease died in the hospital one week after the proc edure. All stented patients experienced significant short-term relief of dysphagia. Twenty-two patients (73%) were seen at least once after discharge in a follow-up visit. Twenty (66%) were still swallowing sat isfactorily when last seen four to 32 weeks after stenting. We conclud e that the new nitinol stent represents an important and valuable addi tion to the treatment options available for palliation of malignant dy spha dysphagia.