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.     

Development of novel treatment with a bioabsorbable esophageal patch for benign esophageal stricture

Using a large animal model, we examined whether circumferential stricture after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can be treated by grafting a bioabsorbable esophageal patch. Circumferential ESD was performed on the thoracic esophagus in pigs (n = 6) to create a stricture, for which one of the following interventions was performed: (1) the stricture site was longitudinally incised, and an artificial esophageal wall (AEW) was grafted after placing a bioabsorbable stent (AEW patch group, n = 3); (2) endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) was performed every other week after stricture development (EBD group, n = 3). In both groups, esophageal fluoroscopy was performed 8 weeks after the interventions, and the esophagus was excised for histological examination of the patched site. In the AEW patch group, esophageal fluoroscopy revealed favorable passage through the patched site. Histologically, the mucosal epithelium and lamina propria had regenerated as in the normal area. In the EBD group, the circumferential stricture site showed marked thickening, and there were hypertrophic scars associated with epithelial defects on the luminal surface. Histologically, defects of the mucosal epithelium and full‐thickness proliferation of connective tissue were observed. AEW patch grafting was suggested to be a potentially novel treatment strategy for post‐ESD esophageal circumferential stricture.     

Intralesional steroid injection in benign esophageal strictures resistant to bougie dilation

OBJECTIVE: Some benign esophageal strictures are highly resistant to bougie dilation. The aim of this study was to determine whether intralesional steroid injection had additional benefit to Savary-Gilliard's bougie dilation therapy (SGBD). METHODS: Twenty-one patients were treated with a bougie dilator. The patients were randomized into control and study groups. There were 11 patients in the control group (7 males, 4 females; mean age 45.09 +/- 24.64 years) and 10 patients in the study group (4 males, 6 females; mean age 49.40 +/- 16.49 years). The patients in the control group underwent only SGBD, but patients in the study group received an additional intralesional steroid injection (8 mg triamcinolone acetate into each quadrant). The number of dilations was divided by the follow-up period (in months) to determine the periodic dilatation index. RESULTS: There was no difference in age, sex, etiology, localization and recurrence of lesions, treatment outcome, complications and the number of dilations between the study and control groups. In the study group, the mean periodic dilatation index was 0.712 (range 0.097-2.75) and 0.289 (range 0-1) before and after injections, respectively (P = 0.03). Additionally, the mean number of dilations was 5.3 (range 2-11) and 1.6 (range 0-5) before and after injections, respectively (P = 0.03). The mean symptom-free interval was 24 +/- 12.75 months in the study group and 5.18 +/- 5.06 months in the control group (P < 0.001). The total periodic dilatation index was 0.193 +/- 0.123 in the study group, while it was 0.597 +/- 0.583 in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that intralesional steroid injections increase efficacy of bougie dilation and decrease the requirement for repetition of bougie dilatation.     

Endoscopic treatment for benign biliary strictures: Can placement of a covered metallic stent be an option in refractory cases?

Background: Recently, endoscopic treatment has been attempted to counter benign biliary strictures. It is expected to be an alternative to surgical operation because of its lower morbidity and its convenience, but the long‐term results have not yet been sufficiently elucidated. Here, we evaluate the short‐ and long‐term results of endoscopic stenting in patients with benign biliary strictures, and also describe a new technique using a covered metallic stent (CMS) in the refractory cases. Methods: The charts of 22 consecutive patients with benign biliary stricture treated endoscopically at our institutions between December 1995 and December 2002 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Stricture etiology was as follows: postoperative, nine; chronic pancreatitis, seven; primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), three; and other, three. The stent initially placed was a 7 Fr in 11 patients and a 10 Fr in 11 patients. Eighteen of 22 patients (82%) were successfully treated by the initial treatment, and stents were removed after a mean duration of 3.1 months (range: 1–14 months). In the remaining four patients, stents were exchanged once to four times after that, and a CMS was placed as the second endoprosthesis in two patients with chronic pancreatitis. These stents, including CMS, were finally removed from these four patients after a mean duration of 14.8 months (range: 8–22 months). Over a median follow‐up period of 26 months (range: 6–78 months), one recurrence has been observed, in which case a CMS was placed in a patient with chronic pancreatitis. The CMS was removed successfully 6 months after the insertion, and no recurrence was observed during the 6‐month follow‐up period. Conclusions: Endoscopic stenting for benign biliary stricture is an alternative to surgery because it shows satisfactory results. Placement of a CMS would also be an option in refractory strictures, such as those due in chronic pancreatitis, if the certainty of removal is proven by cumulative experience with a large number of patients.     

Fully versus partially covered self‐expandable metal stents in benign esophageal strictures

Self‐expandable plastic stents are currently recommended for refractory benign esophageal strictures but they show disappointing results in terms of migration and long‐term efficacy. We report here our experience in the management of benign esophageal strictures with partially covered (PCSEMS) and fully covered self‐expandable metal stents (FCSEMS). We performed a retrospective analysis of self‐expandable metal stent (SEMS) placements for benign esophageal strictures from 1998 to 2011 in Rouen University Hospital. Twenty‐two patients (15 men, 7 women) attempted 40 esophageal SEMS placements (17 PCSEMS, 23 FCSEMS) during this period. All technical complications were migrations. Migration was noted after 3/17 PCSEMS (17.6%) and 4/23 FCSEMS placement (17.4%, P = ns). Clinical complications occurred after 6/17 PCSEMS and 2/23 FCSEMS placements (35.3% vs. 8.7%, P = 0.053). PCSEMS caused two major complications (fistulae) whereas FCSEMS did not cause any major complication (11.7% vs. 0%). Mean dysphagia score was significantly lower after SEMS placement (1.68 vs. 3.08, P < 0.001) with similar results for PCSEMS and FCSEMS. Stent placement resulted in long‐term clinical success for 23.5% of PCSEMS and 34.7% of FCSEMS (P = 0.0505). FCSEMS provide satisfying clinical success rate with an acceptable complication rate and they could constitute a relevant therapeutic option in the management of benign esophageal strictures.     

Self-expanding plastic stents in treatment of benign esophageal conditions

BACKGROUND: Recently, self-expanding plastic stents (SEPSs) have been proposed for the treatment of benign esophageal disease. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to review our experience with SEPSs in patients with benign esophageal conditions. DESIGN: This was a retrospective case review of patients who underwent SEPS placement for benign esophageal disease, including (1) benign stricture, including reflux disease, ischemia, and idiopathic, (2) radiation-induced strictures, (3) anastomotic strictures, and (4) esophageal leak/fistulae. PATIENTS: Nineteen male and 11 female patients (average age 52.1 years, range 11-87 years) underwent SEPS placement. INTERVENTIONS: SEPS placement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Initial complications, stent migration, long-term complications, and treatment success according to clinical symptoms, follow-up endoscopy, or imaging. RESULTS: Eighty-three of 84 SEPS placements were successful. The most common complications were chest pain, dysphagia, nausea, and vomiting. No deaths were reported from stent placement. Stent migration was more frequent in proximal (30/44 stents, 68.1%) and distal (19/27 stents, 70.4%) compared with mid esophageal (3/10 stents, 30%). Migration was more frequent in stents placed for benign strictures (18/22 stents, 81.8%), anastomotic strictures (18/24 stents, 75%), and fistulae/leak (13/22 stents, 59.1%) compared with radiation-induced strictures (4/14 stents, 28.6%). Only 5 of 83 interventions (6%) resulted in long-term improvement after stent removal. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective review, and patients were selected from a tertiary medical center. CONCLUSION: Use of SEPSs for benign esophageal conditions resulted in frequent stent migration and few cases of long-term improvement. Further investigation is warranted to identify optimal patient populations and to guide future recommendations for the use of SEPSs.     

Expandable metallic stents should not be used in the treatment of benign esophageal strictures

Expandable metallic stents have become popular in recent years for the treatment of esophageal strictures. While they are undoubtedly of great value in the palliation of malignant strictures and tracheo-esophageal fistulas, there is concern over their use for the treatment of benign diseases. We report three cases, in which such problems were seen following stent insertion for benign esophageal strictures. All three patients developed further strictures above the stents, one was complicated by a tracheo-esophageal fistula and two stents (in one patient) migrated distally into the stomach. Two of the patients underwent subsequent esophageal surgery. In both cases, this proved extremely difficult and hazardous because of the intense fibrotic reaction induced by the stents. Expandable mesh stents should not be used for the treatment of benign esophageal strictures without careful consideration of the potential problems, which can include rendering the problem inoperable.     

Predictors for frequent esophageal dilations of benign peptic strictures

Recurrence of esophageal peptic stricture necessitating repeated dilation treatments remains a problem for many patients despite optimal acid suppressive therapy. The factors associated with frequent relapses are poorly understood. We studied retrospectively a population of 58 patients with benign peptic strictures and dysphagia treated by esophageal dilation and followed for 66.5 ± 6.7 months. Data was collected for age, sex, heartburn, weight loss, esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, number of dilation treatments during the first year of follow-up, frequency and number of subsequent dilation treatments, type of dilator used, and history of other concurrent treatments. Patients who lacked heartburn (P=0.007) or who reported a history of weight loss (P=0.006) at the time of their initial presentation required more frequent dilations during the first year of follow-up. The mean number of dilations in year 1 was 6.2 ± 0.9 for patients lacking heartburn versus 3.2 ± 0.5 for patients with heartburn (P=0.004), and 9.0 ± 1.8 for patients who reported weight loss versus 4.1 ± 0.5 (P=0.006) for those who did not. The patients requiring frequent treatment during their first year also required frequent subsequent dilations because of stricture recurrence (P<0.0001). We did not demonstrate any relationship between the other factors studied and treatment frequency. These observations suggest that patients who require frequent retreatment for recurrent peptic stricture are more likely to provide a history of weight loss and less likely to complain of heartburn at initial presentation. The pattern of frequent repeat dilation for recurrent peptic strictures is established during the first year of follow-up.H.G. Preiksaitis is a recipient of an Ontario Ministry of Health Career Scientist Award. This work was supported in part by the Medical Research Council of Canada.     

Endoscopic bougienage of benign anastomotic strictures in patients after esophageal resection: the effect of the extent of stricture on bougienage results

SUMMARY. The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the incidence of benign anastomotic strictures (BAS) in patients after esophageal resection and to examine the influence of the extent of BAS on the results of bougienage therapy. From January 2001 to July 2006, 79 patients at risk of BAS development were included in the study. BAS was diagnosed with a median delay of 8 weeks (4–26) postoperative in 23 patients (29%). A median of 4 bougienage sessions (2–20) was needed for success (success rate 100%). The mean follow‐up time was 22 months [range 3–47]. There were no late recurrences of BAS. Five patients had an anastomosis diameter <5.5 mm and 14 patients >5.5 mm. There was no difference in median number of bougienage procedures in these subgroups (4.5 [2–9] vs. 4 [2–20]). Patients who presented with BAS earlier than 6 weeks postoperative had more procedures (median 8 [2–20] vs. 4 [2–9]) than those presenting later. Patients in whom first bougienage was possible to only 16 mm diameter needed more procedures than patients in whom first dilation was possible to more than 16 mm (median 5.5 [3–20] vs. 3 [2–9]). In conclusion, both early BAS development and the diameter of bougienage at first endoscopy, but not the extent of stricture, seem to be predictive factors for longer bougienage therapy. In order to influence the BAS formation early, we now routinely examine every patient after esophageal resection endoscopically in the 6th postoperative week.     

Aggressive bougie dilatation and intralesional steroids is effective in refractory benign esophageal strictures secondary to corrosive ingestion

Endoscopic dilatation of corrosive esophageal strictures is effective, but some patients are refractory to it and require long‐term repeated dilatations. The present study was carried out to analyze whether rigorous schedule of endoscopic bougie dilatation along with intralesional injection of triamcinolone in patients refractory to endoscopic dilatation alone could decrease the number and frequency of endoscopic dilatations. The inclusion criterion for this prospective study was patients with refractory corrosive esophageal stricture of any age group. Refractory benign esophageal stricture is defined as an anatomic fibrotic esophageal restriction with inability to achieve dilatation of ≥14 mm or to maintain dilatation for 4 weeks once ≥14 mm diameter is achieved. The patients were followed up prospectively for 1 year. Patients with refractory strictures were subjected to weekly bougie dilatation (Savary‐Gilliard) of the strictures along with injections of intralesional triamcinolone (40 mg/mL, 1 mL diluted in 1 mL of saline, 0.5 mL injected per quadrant of stricture) for consecutive 5 weeks, referred to as rigorous schedule. Further dilatation was done on an ‘on‐demand’ basis. Eleven patients were enrolled for the study. Dysphagia score improved from pre‐intervention score of 3.54 ± 0.52 to 0.45 ± 0.52 post‐intervention (P < 0.001). The maximum dilatation achieved pre‐intervention was 9.90+1.04 mm Savary‐Gilliard and post‐intervention significantly improved to 14.7 + 0.7 mm Savary‐Gilliard (P < 0.001). The periodic dilatation index defined as number of dilatations per month also significantly improved from pre‐intervention score of 2.54 ± 1.06 to post‐intervention score of 0.19 + 0.13 (P < 0.001). No adverse effects were reported by the patients. Rigorous weekly schedule of bougie dilatation and intralesional triamcinolone in combination is safe and effective in achieving significant dilatation, reducing the frequency dilatations, maintaining dilatation and improving dysphagia till 1 year of follow‐up.     

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.     

Covered removable self-expandable mental stents for the treatment of refractory benign biliary disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to verify the use of covered removable self‐expandable metal stents (CRSEMS) in benign biliary disease after a failure of traditional endoscopic treatment. METHODS: A total of 23 patients who failed traditional endoscopic therapy were enrolled in the study and treated with CRSEMS. RESULTS: Among all the patients, 11 had a bile leak and 12 suffered benign biliary stenosis. Technical success and immediate clinical success were achieved in all the patients. The overall long‐term clinical success rate after stent removal was 100%. The CRSEMS were left in place for a median of 47 days (range 30–240 days). Immediate complications occurred in one patient, stent migration in two and overgrowth of inflammatory tissue in the stent in two. CONCLUSION: CRSEMS is an excellent treatment option for patients with benign biliary disease.     

Endoscopic surgical technique for benign fibrotic strictures of the upper esophageal sphincter

A 43‐year‐old man with complaints of increased difficulty swallowing and weight loss underwent videofluorographic examination of swallowing, which revealed severely reduced cricopharyngeal opening. Endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy was carried out using a modified technique (mECPM). A benign fibrotic stricture of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) was identified under visualization of a distending operating laryngoscope. A vertical midline incision in the strictured mucosa and submucosal resection of the cricopharyngeal muscle were done using a CO₂ laser. The initial vertical mucosal incision was tightly sutured in the horizontal direction with absorbable surgical sutures. Histopathological examination of the cricopharyngeal muscle revealed infiltration of inflammatory cells. The patient started oral intake on postoperative day 7. He has been symptom free for 2 years with an improved body mass index, and postoperative laryngoscopy revealed no salivary retention in the piriform sinuses. The technique presented here provides sufficient opening of the UES by eliminating the problem of restenosis. mECPM will be useful for treating benign fibrotic strictures of the UES.     

Biodegradable biliary stents have a different effect than covered metal stents on the expression of proteins associated with tissue healing in benign biliary strictures

Background: Benign biliary strictures (BBS) are primarily treated endoscopically with covered self-expandable metal stents (CSEMS). Biodegradable biliary stents (BDBS) may be the future of endoscopic therapy of BBS. The aim was to assess the expression of proteins related to tissue healing in BBS compared with the intact bile duct (BD), and to study the protein expression after therapy with CSEMS or BDBS.

Methods: Pigs with ischemic BBS were endoscopically treated either with BDBS or CSEMS. Samples were harvested from pigs with intact BD (n?=?5), untreated BBS (n?=?5), and after six months of therapy with BDBS (n?=?4) or CSEMS (n?=?5) with subsequent histologic analysis. Two-dimensional electrophoresis with protein identification was performed to evaluate protein expression patterns.

Results: In BBS, the expression of galectin-2 and annexin-A4 decreased, compared to intact BD. Treatment with biodegradable stents normalized galectin-2 level; with CSEMS therapy it remained low. Transgelin expression of intact BD and BBS remained low after BDBS treatment but increased after CSEMS therapy. Histologic analysis did not show unwanted foreign body reaction or hyperplasia in the BD in either group.

Conclusions: The expression of proteins related to tissue healing in BBS is different after treatment with biodegradable stents and CSEMS. Treatment with biodegradable stents may bring protein expression towards what is seen in intact BD. BDBS seem to have a good biocompatibility.     

Evaluation and management of benign esophageal strictures

Patients with progressive or solid food dysphagia should be evaluated for the presence of an esophageal stricture. Barium esophagram and endoscopy can define strictures as benign or malignant. The majority of benign strictures are acid-related. Benign strictures are best managed by esophageal dilation with acid-suppressing medications if a peptic stricture is suspected. If dysphagia recurs, repeat dilation should be performed. There are a variety of interventions for refractory strictures which include injection of intralesional corticosteroids, temporary placement of self-expanding plastic stents and surgery.     

Fully covered self-expanding metal stents for benign refractory pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis

Background: Pancreatic duct (PD) stricture is a common adverse event in chronic pancreatitis (CP). Primary treatment for refractory PD strictures is endotherapy (ET), including the insertion of multiple plastic stents. In addition, fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMSs) have also been successfully used. More long-term studies are necessary to clarify the complication rate and efficiency, however.

Methods: This retrospective study was comprised of 17 patients with symptomatic CP and refractory fibrotic main pancreatic duct (MPD) stricture treated with FC-SEMSs between 2010–2018 at the Helsinki University Hospital. Treated strictures were located in the pancreatic head. Technical success was defined as the accurate positioning of the stent and resolution of the MPD stricture. Clinical success was defined as pain relief at the end of the follow-up.

Results: In 12 patients (71%), stricture resolution was accomplished. Clinical success was achieved in 12 patients (71%). The median duration of stenting was 169 days (range 15–804). Ten patients (58.8%) underwent a follow-up of two years or more. Early complications (≤7 days) occurred in two patients (12%): one pancreatitis and one cholestasis. Late complications (≥7 days) included severe abdominal pain (n?=?2, 12%), pancreatitis (n?=?3, 18%), cholestasis (n?=?1, 6%) and stent migration (n?=?7, 35%). Significant differences in stricture resolution and pain improvement were evident in patients with stent migration compared to patients without stent migration [1(14.3%) vs. 11(84.6%), p?=?.004 and 2(28.6%) vs. 11(84.6%), p?=?.022].

Conclusion: FC-SEMS placement is a safe and potentially effective treatment for this challenging group of patients. However, stent migration appears to affect the clinical and technical outcome.