Introduction Dysphagia occurs in 70% oesophageal cancers,¹self-expanding metal stents (EMS) are an established palliative treatment for dysphagia, fistula and perforation.²

Method We review our Centre’s experience of EMS placement since 1997. Over 17 years all EMS were placed by a single operator (GT) using a standard dual Endoscopy and Radiology assisted technique. A Database was maintained and analysed for this review.

Results 397 EMS were placed in 373 patients (25–35/year). Average age 74 years, 59% were men. 97% placed for malignant disease; 83% for dysphagia palliation, 14% for fistulae and 3% for benign perforation. 3/4 of tumours were lower oesophageal. Adenocarcinoma was the commonest tumour type (46%), the majority of these were male (75%). Squamous made up 24%, with 63% being female; the rest were poorly differentiated (10%), and miscellaneous (20%) including breast, lung, mesothelioma and melanoma.

Most tumours were 2–10cm long, 68% had moderately tight stricturing but only 18% of all tumours required dilatation (average 11mm). Tumour clearance was successful in 99% where an EMS was deployed. 1/3 procedures were considered technically challenging, reasons included; difficult tumour anatomy e.g. angulation (15%) and inability to cross the tumour after dilatation resulting in ‘blind’ distal placement (5%). EMS placement was unsuccessful in 1% and failed to expand adequately or slipped from the ideal position in 5%. Bleeding occurred in 4%, all minor, and resuscitation due to respiratory arrest occurred in 1 case. 30 day mortality was 10%; 1 patient died within 24 h of EMS placement.

Stent choice changed over time; Ultraflex (Boston Scientific) was used between 1998–2006 and partially covered Ni-Ti stents (various manufacturers) thereafter.

Conclusion Our patient demographics reflect national trends in age, sex and tumour type³. 99% achieved successful EMS placement, 18% required dilatation for placement. Our complication rate is similar to published work but the rate of severe bleeding and 30 day mortality were lower than published figures of 1% and 24% respectively.⁴

In our 17 year experience, EMS are a useful palliative treatment for oesophageal cancer with high success rates of placement and relatively low incidence of complications.

Disclosure of interest None Declared.

References

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2. Hindy P, Hong J, Lam-Tsai Y, Gress F. A comprehensive review of esophageal stents. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;8(8):526–534

3. Office for National Statistics. Cancer survival rates, cancer survival in England, patients diagnosed 2005-2009, followed up to 2010. Nov 2011 [Online] www.ons.gov.uk

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