Abstract Background Oesophageal stents are commonly used for the palliative treatment of inoperable oesophageal malignancy[1]. Stenting of the oesophagus may provide safe and quickly effective management for late-stage disease symptoms. However, there are common complications associated with the oesophageal stents. This audit looks at the types of early and delayed complications from oesophageal stenting, specifically for malignancy. We aim to stratify the types of complication, association between complications and the type of stent used, and the frequency of repeat stenting or repositioning. This will provide patients with better expectations of the complications and compare our practice against published international standards Method All fluoroscopy guided stent insertions between 1/1/2019 and 31/12/2023 for oesophageal malignancy were requested from the hospital radiology department. 101 patients were included for analysis. Their basic demographics were obtained, as well as a disease profile including tumour histology, staging and whether they underwent radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Complications of the stent insertion were then logged. The number of times stents were replaced or repositioned were noted. The type of stent, size parameters, features such as covering, antimigration device and anti-reflux valve were also assessed. In addition, any hospital admissions related to stent complications were also recorded. Results Of 101 patients, the median age was 75, with a higher proportion of male patients ( 71%). After stent fitting there was a median survival length of 94 days. 45% of patients had complications related to the stent. Stent migration was the most frequent complication, 14% of patients experienced stent migration into the stomach, which required repositioning or restenting. Both middle and lower oesophagus stents had equal complication rate. 25% of patients were reported to have overgrowth of tumour affecting the stent, and there was no significant difference in those fitted with a covered stent, meant to reduce overgrowth complications. Conclusion The complications directly resulting from oesophageal stents may adversely affect the palliation of oesophageal cancer patients. In this cohort, the most commonly occurring complications were migration of the stent, immediate symptoms after insertion, and overgrowth of the tumour. Although overgrowth of tumour is part of the disease progression, in many cases it made retrieval of the existing stent or reinsertion more difficult. Our results found no significant difference for complication rates between the different stents, nor the inclusion of antimigration devices. There were no deaths directly due to the stent and no oesophageal perforations reported.
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