ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the application of Sigma stent in treatment for esophagn-tracheal fistula. Methods Clinical data of 22 cases of esophago-tracheal fistula treated with Sigma stent were retrospectively analyzed, including 17 cases of esophageal cancer and 5 cases of benign esophageal diseases, with length of 4 days to 2 months. One single stent was placed in 5 cases, two stents ( both in trachea and esophagus each) in 15 cases, and three stents in 2 cases, and 18 eases with tube-type trachea stent, 3 with obtuse angle L-type and 1 with Y-type. Placement of stent was by interventional method or/and endoscopy. Results Forty-one stents were successfully placed in 22 patients with no death in the procedure. And, all patients with fistula were healed successfully and could have normal eating 2 to 4 days after operation, except 1 patient who received a tracheal stent inserted first, but an esophageal stent inserted again due to incomplete seal of the fistula and another benign case who received surgical operation 1 year after stent placement due to protracted unsealed fistula, with an overall cure rate of 91% (20/22). Conclusions Placement of Sigma stent in the esophagus or/and trachea could effectively heal esophago-tracheal fistula. All the patients can eat normally after the procedure. Stent can be recycled and formation of secondary esophago-traeheal fistula can be prevented effectively with such procedure.