This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Metcalfe, M J Articles by Leslie, A Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Metcalfe, M J Articles by Leslie, A

Benign complications of expandable metal stents used in the palliation of oesophageal carcinoma: two case reports

¹ Department of Surgery, 9th Floor, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2QG, ² Department of Surgery, University Hospital Lewisham, London SE13 6LH and ³ Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Lewisham, London SE13 6LH, UK

Correspondence: Dr A Leslie

We describe two patients who were treated with self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) insertion as palliation of malignant oesophageal strictures. Both patients re-presented with dysphagia several months after SEMS insertion due to benign strictures. Initial treatment with balloon dilation and medical management had limited success so both patients had further SEMS inserted across the secondary benign strictures. This provided very good symptomatic relief. Chemotherapy and chemo-radiation in patients with inoperable oesophageal carcinoma are prolonging patient survival. As patients survival lengthens benign complications of SEMS may become an increasing clinical problem.