Oesophageal stents for the management of malignant strictures and fistulae

Self-expanding metallic stents provide excellent palliation of inoperable m alignant dysphagia with minimal morbidity; in many centres they now represe nt the treatment of choice. Covered stents represent the only reliable opti on in the management of malignant fistulae and are highly successful in thi s situation. Placement of stents at the oesophago-gastric junction remains problematic. Covered stents placed at this site have a high migration rate and uncovered stents have a relatively high incidence of tumour ingrowth. N ew developments, such as the Flamingo stent, may prove helpful in this area .