Biodegradable oesophageal stents: a potentially useful adjunct in the treatment of dysphagia in patients undergoing radiotherapy for oesophageal carcinoma
White, K Thampy, S Sheikh, H Bhatt, Lubna Mullan, Damian Laasch, Hans-Ulrich
White, K
Thampy, S
Sheikh, H
Bhatt, Lubna
Mullan, Damian
Laasch, Hans-Ulrich
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Abstract
Aim Dysphagia is common in patients presenting with oesophageal malignancy. This study aimed to determine the clinical effectiveness of biodegradable stents to help with malignant dysphagia due to radiotherapy for oesophageal cancer and furthermore to establish the complication and re-intervention rates associated with their use. Methods This was a retrospective, observational study of 22 patients between 2008 and 2013. Complications within 2 weeks and episodes of re-intervention required within 4 months of stent insertion prior to radiotherapy were recorded. Results Pre-stent insertion, the mean O�Rourke dysphagia score was 3�5 (median 3, range 2�5). This improved to a mean score of 2�8 (median 3, range 1�4) 1�3 weeks following stent insertion. Complications occurred in seven patients (32%) in an immediate 2-week period, including: pain (2), dysphagia requiring dilatation (1), food obstruction not requiring intervention (1), food obstruction requiring intervention (2) and upper gastrointestinal bleed not requiring intervention (1). Re-intervention was required in 18% within a 4-month period. Findings We propose that biodegradable oesophageal stents are safe and may have benefit over self-expanding metal stents. We recommend they are placed alongside a radiologically inserted gastrostomy in a combined procedure prior to radiotherapy planning.
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Date
2019
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White K, Thampy S, Sheikh H, Bhatt L, Mullan D, Laasch HU. Biodegradable oesophageal stents: A potentially useful adjunct in the treatment of dysphagia in patients undergoing radiotherapy for oesophageal carcinoma. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice. 2019;18(4):312-7.