Complications of stent therapy for advanced esophageal cancer

Late-stage esophageal cancer and postoperative anastomosis scar stenosis due to fibrosis seriously affect the patient's quality of life. Endoscopic dilatation therapy has the advantages of positive effect and simple and easy method. It can effectively relieve the patient's clinical symptoms, improve obstruction, and improve the quality of life of patients with advanced esophageal cancer. For patients who need repeated dilatation treatment, stents can be placed under endoscopy. The complications of stent treatment are as follows:

1. Patients with perforation may feel severe chest pain, followed by mediastinal and thoracic infection. Oral liquid contrast agent and X-ray fluoroscopy may reveal leakage outside the esophagus and mediastinal air shadows. Once confirmed, patients should be treated immediately with fasting, gastrointestinal decompression, and anti-infection. Those who are ineffective with non-surgical treatment should undergo surgical treatment.

2. If bleeding occurs, endoscopic examination can be performed again to identify the cause and stop the bleeding under the microscope.

3. The chance of infection is relatively small, but local infection caused by expanded wounds and respiratory infection caused by reflux and aspiration cannot be ignored and should be actively treated.

4. The incidence of reflux esophagitis is high, and routine anti-reflux treatment is required after treatment. Avoid overeating, eat less greasy food, and take antacids and mucosal protective agents regularly.

5. Recurrence of stricture and restenosis Some patients will experience recurrence of esophageal stricture after bougie dilatation in the near future and can be dilated again.