Fully covered self-expandable esophageal metallic stents in patients with inoperable malignant disease who survived for more than 6 months after stent placement.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical outcomes of fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) placement in patients with malignant esophageal obstruction who survived longer than 6 months. Methods: From January 2002 to January 2018, 88 FCSEMS were placed in 64 patients (mean age 62.9 +/- 11.6 years; 58 males) with inoperable malignant esophageal obstruction with or without esophago-respiratory fistula. Only patients who survived more than 6 months with FCSEMS in place were included. Data regarding technical and clinical success, complications, reinterventions, stent patency, and patient survival were obtained from a prospectively maintained hospital database. Results: The technical and clinical success rates were 100 % (64/64). During follow-up, the median dysphagia score significantly improved (3.09 +/- 0.68 to 1.05 +/- 0.60, p < 0.001). The complication rate was 48.8 %. Multivariate analysis revealed that only longer stenting duration was associated with complications [hazard ratio = 1.220, 95 % confidence interval (CI) (1.074-2.760), p = 0.039]. The median follow-up duration was 257 days (range, 181-969). The median stent patency duration was 289 days [95% CI (209.9-368.1)]. The median survival was 254 days [95%CI (219.7-288.3)]. Conclusions: Our data suggest that esophageal FCSEMS placement is an effective option for patients with malignant dysphagia when survival longer than 6 months is expected. The rate of complications increases with time, and SEMS development is needed to keep up with the advancement in ontological treatment. Advances in knowledge: Fully covered esophageal self-expandable stent placement is effective in patients surviving more than 6 months, however, the rate of complications also increases. SEMS development is needed to cope with the advancement in ontological treatment.