EXPANDABLE METAL ESOPHAGEAL STENT DEPLOYMENT IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT DYSPHAGIA

Background:Palliative therapy is the only treatment for inoperable malignant dysphagia. Therapeutic option of self expandable metallic stent has been proven more effective and safest than other conventional palliative therapy like esophageal dilation, plastic stent and laser therapy in malignant dysphagia.
Objectives:To study the outcome, efficacy and complications of self expandable metallic stent deployment in patient with malignant dysphagia.
Methods: Fifty patients with malignant dysphagia comprised of 38 male and 12 female with malignant dysphagia treated palliativelly with self expandable metallic stent were studied. All the patients were submitted to upper endoscopy and forceps biopsy before self expandable metallic stent deployment. Analysis of stent expansion, mean dysphagia score, complications and mean survival period were carried for the study group.
Results:Technical success rate of self expandable metallic stent placement was 86% in first trial and reached to 100% in the second trial. Early technical or patient's complications were negligible. Most important late complication was tumor overgrowth obstructing the stent. The mean dysphagia score point 1.9 and the mean survival period were 3.1 months.
Conclusions:Self expandable metallic stent deployment is successful and rewarding procedure for immediate relief of disabling malignant dysphagia with negligible morbidity and zero mortality.
Keyword: Self expandable metallic stent, Malignant dysphagia, Esophagus, Iraq