The Role of Esophageal Stents in the Management of Esophageal Anastomotic Leaks and Benign Esophageal Perforations

Abstract

Endoscopic management of esophageal anastomotic leaks and perforations with the use of esophageal stents is technically feasible. It seems to be safe and effective when performed along with mediastinal or pleural drainage. Esophageal stent can, therefore, be considered as a treatment option in the management of patients who present early after esophageal perforation or anastomotic leak with limited mediastinal or pleural contamination.

Outcomes after oesophageal perforation: a retrospective cohort study of patients with different aetiologies

“…9,11 Endoscopic treatment, including stenting, is becoming an increasingly popular means of treating oesophageal perforation in selected patients, and reportedly has a high technical success rate. [12][13][14][15][16] Oesophageal perforation should be managed in specialised centres. In this study, we report the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of a cohort of patients with oesophageal perforation treated at a single tertiary centre in Hong Kong over a period of 16 years.…”

Endoscopic modalities for upper gastrointestinal leaks, fistulae and perforations

“…It is known that stent migration and treatment delays can lead to failure but there is little in the literature to guide stent selection 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Most stents used for fistula management are being used ‘off‐label’, but understanding their physical characteristics can help when selecting a stent for a particular patient.…”

“Chimera” fully covered self-expandable metal stent for refractory esophageal anastomotic leak

“…However, a discrepancy between stent size and lumen size may lead to insufficient sealing of a leak, requiring further surgical intervention [4,5]. The main reason why this problem occurs is the relatively small diameter of commonly used commercial stents [5].…”