Esophageal stent placement for endoscopic treatment failure

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2023 Dec;115(12):734-735. doi: 10.17235/reed.2023.9517/2023.

Abstract

Up until approximately 10 years ago, the treatment for acute refractory esophageal variceal bleeding was balloon tamponading. Esophageal fully covered self-expanding stents are considered as effective as balloons and also much safer. They are kept in situ for longer periods, what eases the access to more definitive treatments with a low complication rate. We present 6 cases of patients with cirrhosis and massive bleeding due to esophageal varices refractory to conventional treatment, successfully treated with an esophageal fully covered self-expanding stent. There were no major complications, achieving an effective bleeding control in all cases.

MeSH terms

  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices* / complications
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices* / surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Humans
  • Stents / adverse effects
  • Treatment Failure