QJM Advance Access originally published online on April 27, 2008
QJM 2008 101(7):545-548; doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcn045
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Oesophageal stent insertion for palliation of dysphagia in a District General Hospital: experience from a case series of 137 patients
From the Penine Acute NHS Trust, Greater Manchester, England
Address correspondence to C.P. Selinger, 55 Miry Lane, Westhoughton, BL5 2HW, UK. email: Christian.selinger{at}web.de
Received 30 November 2007 and in revised form 10 March 2008
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Abstract |
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Background: Endoscopic oesophageal stent insertion is a widely used procedure to alleviate dysphagia caused by malignant strictures of the oesophagus and gastric cardia. It can, however, be associated with significant complications, mortality and morbidity.
Aim and method: This retrospective case note study was undertaken to assess success rates, complications and mortality of oesophageal stenting when undertaken in a UK District General Hospital (DGH) setting. Patients who underwent oesophageal stenting for malignant disease from January 2000 to January 2006 were included.
Results: Of the 137 patients studied, oesophageal adenocarcinoma was present in 57% of patients, squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma in 37% and gastric adenocarcinoma in 6%. Indications for stent insertion were: presence of non-resectable tumours (65%), co-morbidities that contraindicated surgery (25%), refusal by patients for surgery for potentially resectable disease (6%) and a need for enhanced oral nutrition prior to surgery (4%). Prior to stenting 86.4% of patients suffered from advanced dysphagia. A significant improvement in symptoms was seen in 94% of patients. Discharge from hospital was within 48 h in 45% of cases. Chest pain was experienced by 13.9% of patients and serious acute stent-related complications (perforation or bleeding) occurred in 5.8% of patients. Overall 41.6% of patients had at least one complication. Mortality was 4.4% at 7 days and 24.8% at 30 days.
Conclusions: Oesophageal stent insertion proved to be an effective palliation of dysphagia in group studied. It is a relatively safe procedure with a low rate of serious acute complications (5.8%) and can be done as a short stay in many patients.