ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect and safety of home-made metallic stent implantation in the treatment of malignant esophageal stricture. Methods Among 47 cases with malignant esophageal stricture, there were 8 cases in superior esophagus, 12 cases in middle esophagus,27 cases in inferior esophagus, and 12 cases with gastric cardia carcinoma. Those cases were not suitable or willing to accept surgical operation. Before stenting, radiotherapies were not done in all cases. Different shape home-made metallic stents were used to place the segment of structure via mouth according to the positions and diameters of esophageal stricture. The follow-up periods was 5 ～ 16 months. Results 48 stents were implanted successfully in 47 patients. After operation,swallow was improved in all patients. No major complications occurred in these groups. Restenosis occurred in the third month post-operation in 1 case owing to tumor relapsed and grew at proximal stent, and another stent was implanted successfully. Conclusions Stents implantation for malignant stricture can effectively and safely relieve the dysphasia.