ABSTRACT
From March 2000 to November 2003, 39 PVE funneled hose pipe pieces were inserted as esophageal stents in 27 males and 12 females with mean age of 60 years [range=42-82 years]. Average hospital stay was 7 days [range = 5-20 days]. Procedure related morbidity was 40% while mortality was 10.25%. There was little effect of age, sex, type and level of tumor on morbidity and mortality. In patients who could be discharged home, dysphagia score improved form average of 4.2 to 2.5. Average post procedural survival was 4.2 months. 7 [20%] patients required readmission for stent malfunction. Only five of them required a second procedure to re-establish the passage. Slipping of stent occurred in only one case where a second stent was inserted. Our technique for manufacturing and insertion of the stent is described. Review of literature and a discussion to support our practice is included. We conclude that although self expanding metallic stents are the current gold standard world wide for palliation of dysphagia due to advanced carcinoma of esophagus, a molded PVE stent can be used in place of conventional traction and pulsion tubes where affordability is a problem. Using the described technique a reliable relief of dysphagia with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates can be achieved