CZES型食管支架置入术18例分析

目的 探讨CZES型食管支架置入治疗食管良恶性狭窄的疗效.方法 在内镜直视下选用沙氏探条扩张食管狭窄,然后置入CZES食管支架.结果 18例食管狭窄病人,有不同程度的吞咽困难,一次性放置CZES型食管支架22枚,成功率为100%.明显胸痛2例,低烧1例.术后均能进普食.结论 CZES型食管支架稳定好,耐受性好,并发症少,值得推广应用.     

近端释放支架置入器在食管恶性狭窄中的临床应用价值

目的探讨近端释放支架置入器置入食管支架治疗食管恶性狭窄的临床价值。方法对20例食管恶性梗阻患者行胃镜直视下应用近端释放支架置入器置入食管支架。结果 20例患者均一次性放置成功,成功率为100.0%,术后吞咽困难评分由术前(3.58±0.22)分降至(1.10±0.28)分(P0.05)。结论近端释放支架置入器置入食管支架成功率高,操作简单、安全、定位准确,值得临床推广应用。     

不同节段食管~(125)I支架置入的并发症探讨

[目的]探讨食管恶性狭窄患者~(~(125))I支架置入食管位置不同,术后并发症的发生情况。[方法]选取诊断为食管癌患者102例,其中肿瘤口侧缘距离门齿约25cm以上43例(A组),距离25cm以下59例(B组),回顾性分析其接受~(~(125))I粒子支架置入术后生存期超过1年的患者,随访术后1、3、6、12个月的上消化道出血、反流性食管炎、支架移位、胸痛、白细胞减少、支架再狭窄和食管气管瘘并发症发生情况。[结果]102例均一次性成功置入。2组~(125)I支架置入术后患者均可明显改善其吞咽功能,但均有不同程度咽喉部及胸部不适感。在随访时间点,上消化道出血、反流性食管炎、支架移位并发症发生率,B组较A组高,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);而胸痛、白细胞减少、支架再狭窄、食管气管瘘等,2组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]~(125)I支架治疗食管恶性狭窄是一种安全、可靠的方法。中下段食管置入~(125)I支架后上消化道出血、反流性食管炎、支架移位并发症发生较中上段高,针对性治疗可得到有效控制。     

内镜下置入食管长、短支架治疗食管贲门癌对照研究

目的 探讨两种内镜下支架置入方法对食管贲门癌的疗效。方法 将42例食管贲门癌病人分为两组进行内镜下食管支架置入，分别为短支架组(20例)和长支杰组(22例)，术后随访12个月，了解其置管成功率、出血率、胸痛发生率、支架移位率及再狭窄率。结果 两组病人12个月随访置管成功率、出血率、胸痛发生率均为100％，无支架移位。再狭窄率分别为35％、4．5％。结论 长支架组疗效优于短支架组。     

食管金属支架治疗125例食管狭窄和食管气管瘘临床分析

背景：食管狭窄和食管气管瘘是临床常见疾病，近年来食管金属支架逐渐成为其治疗的重要手段，并取得了良好的疗效。目的：探讨食管金属支架治疗食管狭窄和食管气管瘘的临床疗效。方法：选择125例良恶性食管狭窄和食管气管瘘患者，行内镜和x线检查以明确狭窄或瘘口的部位和性质。在x线引导下置入食管金属支架，术后密切随访观察临床疗效和并发症。结果：支架术后2周内，所有患者的吞咽困难均显著改善；食管气管瘘患者的呛咳均显著缓解，仪5例患者进流质时仍有轻微呛咳：86例(68．8％)患者术后出现胸痛，8例(6.4％)发生消化道出血，4例(3.2％)出现支架移位。术后半均随访时间为18个月。吞咽困难的平均缓解时间为7.4个月，27例恶性食管狭窄患者平均于术后6.4个月因肿瘤组织增生而导致再狭窄，8例良性食管狭窄患者平均于术后12．8个月因肉芽组织增生而导致再狭窄。38例患者有胃(或肠)食管反流表现，大多为吻合口支架或食管下段支架。7例患者出现支架移位。恶性食管狭窄患者支架术后平均存活时间为11．8个月。结论：食管金属支架能有效治疗良恶性食管狭窄和食管气管瘘，提高患者的生活质量。但支架术后再狭窄、食管功能紊乱和支架移位等并发症目前仍无法避免，且可能对支架的临床应用产生一定影响。     

食管支架置入治疗食管恶性狭窄并发症的分析

目的探讨食管支架置入治疗食管恶性狭窄的并发症及防治措施。方法对我院65例食管恶性狭窄在DSA监视下行食管支架置入术的患者进行随访,观察术后出现的并发症并分析其原因。结果 65例患者均一次性完成支架置入术,共置入86枚食管带膜支架,支架置入成功率为100%(86/86),随访1~24个月,术后胸骨后疼痛和异物感50例,支架移位1例,再狭窄19例,大出血死亡1例,气管狭窄1例,胃食管返流5例。结论食管支架置入术是一种有效的治疗食管恶性狭窄的方法,积极预防和处理并发症可使该手术更安全有效。     

56例食管支架置入术后并发症分析及防范

目的探讨食管支架置人术后并发症的发生原因和防治策略。方法收集本院食管支架置人术后所发生的并发症进行回顾性分析,包括临床资料及食管支架术前术后胃镜、食管造影、CT检查等。结果使用食管支架治疗56例病人．42例出现疼痛及异物感,7例胃液反流,5例再狭窄、3例大出血、2例支架移位,l例食管气管瘘。结论食管支架置入对于食管良、恶性狭窄治疗安全有效。     

内镜下覆膜食管支架治疗食管癌性狭窄及食管气管瘘的临床应用价值

目的探讨内镜下覆膜食管支架治疗食管癌性狭窄及食管气管瘘的临床价值及食管支架置入术并发症的防治。方法回顾性分析163例晚期食管癌患者内镜下覆膜食管支架治疗食管癌性狭窄及食管气管瘘的临床资料,其中7例患者为食管癌性狭窄并食管-支气管瘘伴双下肺感染,19例患者为食管癌术后复发吻合口狭窄置入镍钛记忆合金覆膜支架。102例患者由于食管过于狭窄先行食管扩张,再进行内镜下放置食管支架,35例患者直接内镜下置入食管支架。结果 163例患者先后放置174个支架,均一次性置入成功,成功率为100%。163例患者均有不同程度胸痛不适,有32例支架再狭窄,其中19例单纯行支架内球囊扩张,11例于原支架上端内部分重叠再放置一支架,有26例行氩气刀再通治疗。7例患者出现支架移位,有2例支架进入食管瘘管内于次日在内镜下取出支架重新放置。所有病例均未出现食管破裂、食管血肿或出血等严重并发症,术后患者进食能力提高,食管气管瘘闭合。结论内镜下覆膜食管支架置入术是中晚期食管癌性狭窄简单、安全、有效的姑息治疗方法,能提高患者的生活质量,延长患者的生存期。     

新型超覆膜金属支架治疗难治性食管胃吻合口狭窄的研究

目的评价新型超覆膜金属支架治疗难治性食管胃吻合口狭窄的疗效和安全性。方法选择经内镜下反复扩张效果较差的22例难治性食管胃吻合口良性狭窄的患者,内镜下置入直径为16 mm或18 mm新型超覆膜金属支架,对比支架置入前后患者吞咽困难改善情况、体力状况评分,同时观察在支架置入3个月期间,胸痛、支架移位、肉芽组织增生、溃疡及出血等支架相关并发症的发生情况。结果 22例患者均成功置入支架,在支架置入一周后患者吞咽困难情况明显改善(P0.05),吞咽困难缓解率为100%,患者胸痛评分较前明显提高(P0.05)。在支架留置期间,移位发生率为13.6%(3/22),肉芽组织增生发生率为22.7%(5/22),溃疡发生率为18.2%(4/22),出血倾向发生率为4.55%(1/22),所有患者在支架留置3个月后均顺利取出,无严重并发症发生。支架取出后再狭窄发生率为13.6%(3/22)。结论新型超覆膜食管支架治疗难治性食管胃吻合口狭窄是安全有效的,支架置入期间应密切随访,预防并发症。     

食管支架术后再狭窄的成因及处理

食管支架置人术可以有效的缓解食管良恶性狭窄患者的症状,提高生存质量,延长患者生命[1].但是,支架置入后出现的食管再狭窄并发症又严重地影响其治疗效果.我院自2001-2006年间,对97例食管良恶性狭窄及吻合口狭窄患者实施金属支架置入术,其中23例患者术后不同时段出现再狭窄,使用探条或球囊扩张术、氩离子凝固术和再次置入支架等多种措施,获得较好疗效,现报道如下.     

Dynamic esophageal stents

Esophageal stenting represents a new strategy in the treatment of resistant or recurrent stenosis that obviates the need for multiple dilations. Our custom dynamic stent (DS) improves esophageal motility unlike the widespread self‐expandable plastic or metallic esophageal stents. The DS allows food and secretions to pass in the space between the esophageal wall and the stent wall. This contrasts with the other types of stent, in which food passes into the stent that presses into the esophageal wall. Until the stent patent is complete, we use slices of silicon drains overlapped with each other to fashion the stent to the desired length and diameter (7‐, 9‐, or 12.7‐mm external diameter). It is built coaxially on a nasogastric tube that guarantees the correct position. The two ends are tailored to allow an easy introduction and food passage between stent and esophageal wall. The stent is inserted after stricture dilations (Savary‐Gilliard dilators) under fluoroscopic guidance. All patients who underwent stenting were treated with dexamethasone (2 mg/kg/day) for 3 days and proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole or lansoprazole, 1–2 mg/kg/day). From 1992 to 2012, 387 patients (mean age 38.6 months; range 3–125 months) with post‐surgical esophageal stricture because of esophageal atresia correction were enrolled in this study. Twenty‐six of 387 patients (6.7%) underwent custom DS placement for recurrent stricture instead of a program of serial dilations. The stent was left in place for at least 40 days and was effective in 21 (80.7%) of 26 patients. There were two stent‐related major complications (subclavian‐esophageal fistula). Our custom stent represents an effective and safe option in the treatment of severe and recurrent post‐surgical esophageal strictures. Surgery with stricture resection, and reanastomosis or jeunoplasty represents the rescue strategy.     

Endoprosthetics in the treatment of benign esophageal strictures

Benign esophageal strictures are a common problem in endoscopic practice. The predominant symptom of patients is dysphagia. The initial treatment option for a benign esophageal stricture is dilation. A small subgroup of strictures, that is, those that are long (>2 cm), are tortuous, and have a narrow diameter, or are associated with caustic or postradiotherapy etiology, tend to recur and are therefore called refractory. Temporary stent placement, with either a self-expandable metal stent or a self-expandable plastic stent, can be considered as a treatment option in these patients. From a technical point of view, placement of an expandable stent in benign strictures does not differ from placement in cases of palliation of malignant dysphagia. Deep sedation and careful stent placement, especially in proximal locations, is extremely important. Results of temporary stenting are still inconclusive; long-term clinical resolution of the stricture is achieved in less than 50% of patients. Moreover long-term data on safety and efficacy are scant. These disappointing results are mainly because of hyperplastic tissue ingrowth or overgrowth and stent migration. New stent designs are needed for this indication. Promising initial results show that biodegradable stents may be useful for refractory benign esophageal strictures; however, these preliminary data need to be further elucidated in future studies.     

Treatment options for esophageal strictures

Esophageal strictures are a problem commonly encountered in gastroenterological practice and can be caused by malignant or benign lesions. Dysphagia is the symptom experienced by all patients, regardless of whether their strictures are caused by malignant or benign lesions. The methods most frequently used for palliation of malignant esophageal strictures are stent placement (particularly in patients with an expected survival of 3 months or less) and brachytherapy (in patients with a life expectancy of more than 3 months). Brachytherapy has been shown to be beneficial in patients with an expected survival of longer than 3 months with regard to (prolonged) dysphagia improvement, complications and quality of life. The mainstay of benign esophageal stricture treatment is dilation. Although dilation usually results in symptomatic relief, recurrent strictures do occur. In order to predict which types of strictures are most likely to recur, it is important to differentiate between esophageal strictures that are simple (i.e. focal, straight strictures with a diameter that allows endoscope passage) and those that are more complex (i.e. long (>2 cm), tortuous strictures with a narrow diameter). These complex strictures are considered refractory when they cannot be dilated to an adequate diameter. Novel treatment modalities for refractory strictures include temporary stent placement and incisional therapy.     

Fully covered self-expanding metallic stent placement for benign refractory esophageal strictures

Aims

Treatment options for benign refractory esophageal stricture are limited. We retrospectively analyzed data of 11 patients who underwent fully covered self-expanding metallic stent (FC-SEMS) placement for refractory benign esophageal stricture at our institute.

Methods

Refractory benign esophageal stricture was defined as inability to dilate a stricture to a diameter of 14 mm after a minimum of five sessions at 2-week intervals or inability to maintain diameter of 14 mm for at least 4 weeks. Eleven patients with refractory benign esophageal stricture (corrosive—6, peptic—3, and post-sclerotherapy—2) underwent FC-SEMS placement. The stent was removed after 4–6 weeks as per manufacturer’s recommendation. Patients were followed up for 1 year.

Results

Three patients with peptic strictures [length of stricture 2, 3, and 3 cm] and two patients with post-sclerotherapy stricture [length 2 and 1.5 cm] had complete response. Two of 6 patients with corrosive stricture (10 cm, 12 cm) developed recurrence of symptoms within 1 month of stent removal, and two after 2 months (8 cm, 3 cm). One patient with corrosive stricture (6 cm) had recurrence after 6 months, and responded to single session of dilatation. One patient with corrosive stricture was asymptomatic for last 12 months. Four stents were migrated. Four patients developed severe retrosternal pain following stent placement, which was managed with analgesics. There were no serious adverse events after placement of stent and removal of stent.

Conclusions

Fully covered SEMS is safe and effective for refractory benign non-corrosive esophageal strictures.

     

Palliative esophageal stent placement using endoscopic guidance without fluoroscopy

AIMS: Fluoroscopy is not available in every endoscopic unit. This situation leads to delays in treatment or to transfer of patients to other centres for stent insertion. We assessed safety and effectiveness of expandable esophageal metal stent placement under endoscopic control without fluoroscopy using a thin gastroscope. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 2002 to June 2004, thirty-three consecutive patients have been included for esophageal stent placement under endoscopic control alone with a nasogastroscope (5.9 mm). A proximal release covered stent (Ultraflex; Boston Scientific Microvasive) was used. Indications were malignant esophageal stricture (N = 26), malignant extrinsic compression (N = 2 ) and esophago-respiratory neoplastic fistulae (N = 5). RESULTS: Stent placement using endoscopic control alone was successful in 30/33 (90%) patients. Complications occurred in 11 patients. Early complications (<7 days) included one death from pulmonary embolism, severe retrosternal pain needing transient morphinic treatment (N = 2) and GERD despite antisecretory therapy (N = 1). Late complications included: food impaction (N = 1), tumour overgrowth-related obstruction of the stent (N = 5) and one late esophago-respiratory fistula at 4 months at the proximal end of the stent. Relief of dysphagia was obtained for all patients at 48 hours and dysphagia score decreased from 3.1 before stent to 1.2 at 1 month (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Expandable esophageal stents can be accurately and safely placed using endoscopy with a thin gastrosocope. This method obviates the requirement of fluoroscopic access, lacking in many centres, and avoids exposure to X-ray.     

Malignant esophageal strictures: Staging accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography

The prognosis for patients with carcinoma of the esophagus remains poor despite aggressive combination therapies and radical surgical resections. Accuracy of staging esophageal carcinoma by endoscopic ultrasonography is unmatched by that of any other modality. Of patients with esophageal carcinoma, 20% to 36% present with high-grade malignant strictures that preclude passage of the echoendoscope. Aggressive wire-guided dilation followed by complete endoscopic ultrasonographic assessment or endosonography limited to the proximal aspect of the stricture has been used in staging these patients. Of 204 patients with esophageal carcinoma, 51 (25%) presented with high-grade malignant strictures, defined as stenosis precluding passage of the echoendoscope without prior dilation. Thirty-nine of the 51 patients were treated by esophageal resection. Twenty-one of these patients underwent preoperative staging using wire-guided dilation followed by endoscopic ultrasonography, whereas 18 underwent limited endosonographic staging. Correct preoperative assessment of depth of tumor invasion (T stage) was obtained in 33% (7 of 21) of the former group and 28% (5 of 18) of the latter group. Advanced tumor stage (stage III or IV) was present in 90% (35 of 39) of patients presenting with high-grade strictures, indicating a poor prognosis for those patients. The current study demonstrates that (1) approximately 25% of all patients with esophageal carcinoma present with high-grade strictures that preclude passage of the echoendoscope without prior dilation, (2) the majority of patients with high-grade malignant strictures present with advanced disease (stage III or IV), and (3) because of the low accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography in staging high-grade strictures, the need to subject such patients to invasive staging studies is questionable. (Gastrointest Endosc 1995;41:535-9.)     

Large diameter fully covered self‐expanding metal stent placement for palliation of proximal malignant esophageal strictures

In patients with malignant esophageal strictures within 6 cm from the upper esophageal sphincter, self‐expanding metal stents placement represents a challenge because there is an increased risk of complications. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of large‐diameter WallFlex^® fully covered self‐expanding metal stents for palliation of patients with proximal malignant esophageal strictures. From March 2010 to December 2012, 12 patients with proximal strictures (4–6 cm from the upper esophageal sphincter) and six with very proximal strictures (<4 cm from the upper esophageal sphincter) were palliated with this fully covered self‐expanding metal stent and included in the study. Technical success was 100% and clinical success was 94%. The mean baseline dysphagia score was 3.2, and 1 week after stenting it improved significantly to 1.3 (P < 0.001). Early complications occurred in four patients, more frequently in patients with very proximal strictures as compared with patients with proximal strictures (P = 0.02). Late complications occurred in five patients, and there were no differences between patients with very proximal strictures or proximal strictures (P = 0.245). The mean survival after stent placement was 119 days, and no differences between patients with very proximal strictures versus proximal strictures were found (P = 0.851). There was no stent‐related mortality or 30‐day mortality. Our results suggested that a large‐diameter fully covered self‐expanding metal stent is an effective and secure device for palliation of patients with proximal malignant esophageal strictures.     

Tumor length assessed by miniprobe endosonography can predict the survival of the advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with stricture receiving concurrent chemoradiation

There were tumor strictures commonly encountered in the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to limit the conventional echoendoscope for exact tumor staging and size measurements. This study evaluated the role of miniprobe endosonography (EUS) to predict the survival of ESCC patients after concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). This study prospectively enrolled ESCC patients to receive high‐frequency miniprobe EUS for the assessments of the tumor size and tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage. For the patients defined with advanced stages to receive CCRT as initial therapy, the tumor size parameters assessed by EUS were analyzed for their correlation with the treatment response and the patients' survivals. Fifty‐four patients, >96% with advanced TNM stage III or IV, were enrolled with a medium follow‐up of 320.5 days. Almost all of the 54 cases had partial or complete stricture of the esophageal lumens due to the tumor obstructions at enrollment. The overall median survival was 18.6 months, and the 1‐ and the 2‐year survival rates were 64.9 and 45.2%, respectively. Patients with initial tumor length <6 cm assessed by the pre‐CCRT EUS had a better survival than those with length ≥6 cm (median survival: >56.5 months vs. 11.5 months, P= 0.006). The patients with initial tumor length <6 cm had a higher rate of downstage than those with tumor length ≥6 cm after the first course of CCRT (80.0% vs. 16.7%, P= 0.035). Multivariate Cox regression confirmed the initial tumor length (hazard ratio [HR]= 1.21, P= 0.034) as well as the presence of distal metastasis are both independent predictors of the survival in ESCC patients receiving CCRT. For the ESCC patients, commonly with tumor stricture, the miniprobe EUS to assess tumor length before CCRT can predict the treatment response and the survivals.     

Bacteremia with esophageal dilation

(GUMMI BEARS)Background: Antibiotic prophylaxis has been recommended for selected patients undergoing esophageal stricture dilation because of a reported high rate of bacteremia. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of bacteremia after esophageal dilatation in a large series and the source of the organisms recovered. Methods: Blood cultures and oral temperatures were obtained before esophageal dilation and at 5 and 30 minutes after dilation. Dilators were cultured immediately before dilation. Procedural data collected included type of dilation, number of passes, and presence of malignancy. Results: Of 100 procedures in 86 patients undergoing esophageal dilation, 22 (22%) were associated with a positive post-dilation blood culture. Bacteremia was more frequent with dilation of malignant strictures compared with benign strictures (9 of 17 [52.9%] vs. 13 of 83 [15.7%], respectively, p = 0.002) and with passage of multiple dilators compared with passage of a single dilator (16 of 46 [34.8%] versus 6 of 54 [11.1%], respectively, p = 0.007). Bacterial isolates from 22 positive blood cultures matched those from a dilator in only one episode (4.5%). Conclusion: The rate of bacteremia after esophageal dilation is 22% and is associated with dilation of malignant strictures or passage of multiple dilators. Organisms cultured from the blood are not transmitted from the dilator. (Gastrointest Endosc 1998;48:563-7.)     

Endoscopic management of difficult or recurrent esophageal strictures

Esophageal strictures are a common problem in gastroenterological practice. In general, the management of malignant or benign esophageal strictures is different and requires a different treatment approach. In daily clinical practice, stent placement is a commonly used modality for the palliation of incurable malignant strictures causing dysphagia, whereas, if available, intraluminal brachytherapy can be considered in patients with a good performance status. Recurrent dysphagia frequently occurs in malignant cases. In case of tissue in- or overgrowth, a second stent is placed. If stent migration occurs, the stent can be repositioned or a second (preferably partially covered) stent can be placed. Food obstruction of the stent lumen can be resolved by endoscopic cleansing. The cornerstone of the management of benign strictures is still dilation therapy (Savary-Gilliard bougie or balloon). There are a subgroup of strictures that are refractory or recur and an alternative approach is required. In order to prevent stricture recurrence, steroid injections into the stricture followed by dilation can be considered. In case of anastomotic strictures or Schatzki rings, incisional therapy is a safe method in experienced hands. Temporary stent placement is a third option before considering self-bougienage or surgery as a salvage treatment. In this review, the most frequently used endoscopic treatment modalities for malignant and benign stricture management will be discussed based on the available literature, and some practical information for the management in daily clinical practice will be provided.