Temporary partially-covered metal stent insertion in benign esophageal stricture

AIM: To study the therapeutic efficacy of temporary partially-covered metal stent insertion on benign esophageal stricture. METHODS: Temporary partially-covered metal stent was inserted in 83 patients with benign esophageal stricture. All the patients had various dysphagia scores. RESULTS: Insertion of 85 temporary partially-covered metal stents was performed successfully in 83 patients with benign esophageal stricture and dysphagia was effectively remitted in all the 83 cases. The dysphagia score was 3.20+/-0.63 (mean+/-SD) and 0.68+/-0.31 before and after stent insertion, and 0.86+/-0.48 after stent removal. The mean diameter of the strictured esophageal lumen was 3.37+/-1.23 mm and 25.77+/-3.89 mm before and after stent insertion, and 16.15+/-2.96 mm after stent removal. Follow-up time was from 1 week to 96 months (mean 54.26+/-12.75 months). The complications were chest pain (n=37) after stent insertion, and bleeding (n=12) and reflux (n=13) after stent removal. CONCLUSION: Temporary partially-covered metal stent insertion is one of the best methods for treatment of benign esophageal stricture.