Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of a newly designed multifunctional coil catheter for stent placement in patients with upper gastrointestinal tract strictures.
Materials and methods: Constructed in our research laboratory, the coil catheter was used in 202 consecutive patients with malignant (n = 191) or corrosive (n = 11) upper gastrointestinal tract strictures. The coil catheter was made of a stainless-steel coil (1.3-mm inner diameter, 1.8-mm outer diameter), a 0.4-mm nitinol wire, a polyolefin tube, and a hemostasis valve. Usefulness of the coil catheter was evaluated based on whether the coil catheter could pass the stricture over a guide wire and whether measurement of the stricture length was possible while the guide wire was in place.
Results: The passage of the coil catheter over a guide wire beyond the stricture was technically successful and well tolerated in 199 of 202 patients (99%). Negotiation of a guide wire or a coil catheter through the stricture of the stomach (n = 2) or duodenum (n = 1) under fluoroscopic guidance failed in three patients. In two of these three patients, it was possible to negotiate a guide wire and a coil catheter under combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance; it was not possible in the third. There were no procedure-related complications.
Conclusion: The newly designed multifunctional coil catheter is useful in stent placement in patients with upper gastrointestinal tract strictures.