Successful palliation of dysphagia in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma has a major effect on quality of life. Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are currently recommended for rapid symptomatic relief when life expectancy is less than 3 months. We assessed complication and reintervention rates along with survival outcomes in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma undergoing stent insertion. A retrospective audit was performed from April 2007 to June 2009 for all inoperable primary esophageal carcinoma patients who had an esophageal stent inserted for dysphagia. Case notes were reviewed for clinical, pathological, stent and complication details, while ICD-10 causes of death were obtained from the Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland. Fifty-six stents were inserted into 53 patients (66.0% male, mean age of 70 years). Inoperability was defined by metastatic spread (n= 34, 64.2%), locally advanced disease (n= 7, 13.2%), and severe medical comorbidities (n= 12, 22.6%). The median time from diagnosis to stent insertion was 109 (interquartile range [IQR] 43-187) days. Fifty stents (94.3%) were successfully deployed, while three patients (5.7%) required an additional stent as the primary stent had not bridged the tumor (proximal deployment = 2, suboptimal stent length = 1). Post-SEMS dysphagia scores were significantly better than pre-SEMS scores (2.90 vs. 1.54, P < 0.001). There were 27 complications identified in 23 (43.4%) patients (major complications = 9, minor complications = 14). Twelve patients (22.6%) required additional endoscopic procedures. The 30-day mortality rate was 11.3% (n= 6). Only one patient (1.9%) remains alive with a cumulative median survival rate of 84 (IQR 38-156) days. Esophageal stent insertion in this group of patients still presents a clinical challenge, with complication and endoscopic reintervention rates of 43.4 and 22.6%, respectively. Our results are comparable with previously published series, and as a palliative modality stent insertion remains appropriate when expected survival is less than 3 months. A range of SEMS is currently available with broadly similar efficacy and safety profiles. Data regarding the newly available fully covered SEMS suggest that they should be avoided.
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