3541 Short- and long-term outcome of the choo flexible endoprosthesis for relieving malignant strictures caused by esophageal and gastric (outlet) malignancies.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the short- and long-term outcome of a modified flexible Gianturco-Z stent (Choo stent) in patients with malignant strictures caused by esophageal or gastric (outlet) neoplasms. Methods: Data were assessed retrospectively. Dysphagia was scored on a five-point scale (1=no obstruction, 2=solids with difficulty, 3=solids impossible, 4=liquids with difficulty, 5=total obstruction) immediately after, two-days, two-weeks, and three-months after stent insertion. Stent related pain was scored on a tenpoint scale. Early ( 30 days) complications were recorded. Results: The cohort comprised of 24 patients (19 men and 5 women, mean age 75, range 57-93) in whom 26 Choo stents were placed. All patients suffered from dysphagia while three patients had a concomitant fistula. Stents were inserted in the esophagus (n=12), across the gastro-esophageal junction (n=8), in the corpus and/or antrum of the stomach (n=3) and across the pylorus (n=3). Up to two-weeks after stent insertion the average dysphagia score improved from 4 to 2 (p Conclusion: Dysphagia caused by stricturing esophageal and gastric (outlet) malignancies is partially relieved by insertion of a Choo stent. Its effect seems temporary although this observation may also reflect the inability of the dyspagia score to differentiate between true dysphagia and anorexia due to progression of malignant disease.