Temporary partially-covered metal stent insertion in benign esophageal stricture

AIM: To study the therapeutic efficacy of temporary partiallycovered 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.