Oesophageal stents for the management of malignant strictures and fistulae

Summary

Self-expanding metallic stents provide excellent palliation of inoperable malignant dysphagia with minimal morbidity; in many centres they now represent the treatment of choice. Covered stents represent the only reliable option in the management of malignant fistulae and are highly successful in this situation. Placement of stents at the oesophago-gastric junction remains problematic. Covered stents placed at this site have a high migration rate and uncovered stents have a relatively high incidence of tumour ingrowth. New developments, such as the Flamingo stent, may prove helpful in this area.

Key Words:

• oesophagus
• neoplasms
• stenosis or obstruction
• therapeutic radiology
• stents
• prostheses