Treatment of Patients with Esophageal Dysphagia by Insertion of Self-expandable Metal Stents

Objective:To investigate the clinical indications, efficacy, and complications of self-expandable metal stent(SEMS)insertion for treating patients with esophageal dysphagia.Methods:36 patients with esophageal dysphagia were treated by insertion of SEMS in our department.Their clinical indications, treatment efficacy and complications were analyzed.The degree of dysphagia for each patient was assessed before and after the insertion of SEMS according to a 5-point grading method.The early complications occurred within 30 days after the insertion,and the late complications occurred later than 30 days were recorded and analyzed separately. Results:The mean degree of dysphagia for 36 patients was improved from 3.4 before the insertion to 1.1 after the insertion.Among 36 patients,all 4 patients with fistulas had their fistulas healed up .Early complieations occurred in 6 cases: bleeding 2 cases; pain 4 cases. Late complicalion occurred only in 1 cases, displacement of the stent from its original position. Conclusion:To treat patients with esophageal dysphagia by insertion of SEMS can remarkably improve their degree of dysphagia, their life quality, and can prolong their life expectancy. The application of this treatment method to treat dysphagia caused by benign esophageal stenosis is still in a controvercy at present.Reduction of complications can be achieved if this treatment is adopted under strict clinical indications.