Self-expandable metallic stent-induced esophagorespiratory fistulas in patients with advanced esophageal cancer

Background/Aims@#Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) are widely adopted for the palliation of dysphagia in patients with malignant esophageal strictures. An important adverse event is the development of SEMS-induced esophagorespiratory fistulas (SEMS-ERFs). This study aimed to assess the risk factors related to the development of SEMS-ERF after SEMS placement in patients with esophageal cancer. @*Methods@#This retrospective study was performed at the Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo. All patients with malignant esophageal strictures who underwent esophageal SEMS placement between 2009 and 2019 were included in the study. @*Results@#Of the 335 patients, 37 (11.0%) developed SEMS-ERF, with a median time of 129 days after SEMS placement. Stent flare of 28 mm (hazard ratio [HR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–5.51; p=0.02) and post-stent chemotherapy (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.01–4.00; p=0.05) were associated with an increased risk of developing SEMS-ERF, while lower-third tumors were a protective factor (HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.26–0.85; p=0.01). No difference was observed in overall survival. @*Conclusions@#The incidence of SEMS-ERFs was 11%, with a median time of 129 days after SEMS placement. Post-stent chemotherapy and a 28 mm stent flare were associated with a higher risk of SEMS-ERF.

Enteral stents in the management of gastrointestinal leaks, perforations and fistulae

Gastrointestinal leaks and fistulae are grave conditions associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Expandable stents have shown significant success in the management of leaks and fistulae, providing an efficacious minimally invasive approach in patients who are frequently poor surgical candidates. Most reports, however, are limited by their small size or the pooling of different stents, techniques and locations of leaks and fistulae. Despite the numerous alterations in stent design, migration remains the pivotal drawback of this technique. In this article, we review the current status of expandable stents in the management of gastrointestinal leaks and fistulae, available anti-migration techniques and evolving innovations in stent design.

ABC's of Writing Medical Papers in English

Publishing medical papers in English is important as English remains the predominant language for most medical papers (both electronic and traditional journal publications). In addition, journals with the highest impact factors are published in English and a publication in English thus enhances the visibility of authors and their institutions, and is important for promotion in some academic centers. This article reviews the basic principles that will help you successfully publish a manuscript in English. Although other books and articles are available on this subject, there are relatively few references. The present article is based on this author's experience of publishing nearly 400 articles in English. It will emphasize writing original articles, but the principles can be applied to virtually any type of manuscript.

Management of Simultaneous Biliary and Duodenal Obstruction: The Endoscopic Perspective

Obstructive jaundice often develops in patients with unresectable malignancy in and around the head of the pancreas. Duodenal obstruction can also occur in these patients, and usually develops late in the disease course. Palliation of both malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction is traditionally performed with surgical diversion of the bile duct and stomach, respectively. With the advent of nonsurgical palliation of biliary obstruction using endoscopic transpapillary expandable metal stent placement, a similar approach can be used to palliate duodenal obstruction by placement of expandable metal gastroduodenal stents. Endoscopic palliation can be achieved in patients who require relief of both biliary obstruction and duodenal obstruction, although this can be technically difficult to achieve depending on the level of duodenal obstruction in relation to the major papilla. This article reviews the endoscopic approaches for combined palliative relief of malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction.