Self-expandable metal coil stents in the treatment of benign esophageal strictures refractory to conventional therapy: a case series

Background: Benign, refractory esophageal strictures are an important thera peutic challenge. Metallic self-expandable stents developed to treat malign ant strictures have occasionally been used in the treatment of benign steno ses. This is a report of the use of 14 esophageal metallic stents in 10 pat ients with severe benign strictures. Methods: Ten patients with peptic, post-surgical, or post-radiation esophag eal strictures were treated with metallic stents. All patients had previous ly been treated, unsuccessfully, by endoscopic dilatation. Their strictures , although benign, gave rise to the same problems as malignant ones. Results: In all patients, marked improvement of dysphagia was achieved with the use of metallic stents. They were inserted without early complications except for chest pain in one patient. Late complications were proximal and distal migration (in three patients) and a proximal stricture in one other patient. The best results were achieved in post-radiation strictures. Conclusions: Metallic stents can be considered as a therapeutic alternative in selected patients with severe benign esophageal strictures refractory t o conventional treatment.