Esophageal Metallic Stent In The Treatment Of Esophageal Stenosis And Esophago-tracheal Fistula: A Clinical Analysis Of 11 Cases

Background: Esophageal stenosis and esophago-tracheal fistula are common clinical diseases. Recently esophageal metallic stent has become the important treatment method for these disorders with good efficacy. Aims:To appraise the clinical efficacy of esophageal metallic stent in the treatment of esophageal stenosis and esophago-tracheal fistula. Methods: 11 patients with benign and malignant esophageal stensis and esophago-trcheal fistula were enrolled. The sites and characteristic of the stenosis or fistula were verified by endoscopy and X-ray. The esophageal metallic stent was placed under the guidance of X-ray, and the clinical effectiveness as well as complications were closely observed during follow-up after stenting.Results: Within the postoperative 1 weeks, the dysphagia was much improved in all patients; The choking and coughing were relieved in 1 patient with esophago-tracheal fistula, 1 patient had little coughing while drinking liquid; 7 patients(63. 6%)had chest pain after stending, 1(9.1%) stent displacement. The average follow-up period after stenting was 6 months. Restenosis occurred in 3 patients with malignant esophageal stenosis 4 months after stenting because of hyperplasis of tumorous tissues. 2 patients had gastro- or duodenal-esophageal reflux, 1 had stent situated at lower esophagus, the other at tracheoesophageal fistula. 1 patient had stent displacement. 1 patient with malignant esophageal stenosis died 55 days after stenting. Conclusion: The benign and malignant esophageal stenosis, andesophago-tracheal fistula can be treated with esophageal metallic stent effectively, and the patients' quality of life is much improved. But complications as restenosis, disordered esophageal function and stent displacement are unavoidable and may influence the clinical use of stenting.