Double Stent Insertion for Combined Malignant Airway and Esophageal Stenoses: Feasibility, Safety, and Long-Term Outcome

Purpose: We determined the feasibility, safety, and long-term outcome of double stent insertion in management of combined malignant airway and esophageal stenoses (CAES). Patients and Methods: Between March 2005 and May 2014, 11 consecutive patients (9 males and 2 females), 56-78 years of age (mean, 63.46.1 years), with CAES who underwent double stent insertion (airway and esophageal stents) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Data regarding the technical success, clinical success, and long-term outcome were collected and analyzed. Results: Airway and esophageal stents were successfully inserted in all patients. The interval between insertion of the two stents was 0-42 days (mean, 13.2 +/- 14.2 days). No procedure-related complication occurred. Relief of dyspnea and dysphagia was achieved in all patients. The mean Hugh-Jones grade improved from 4.5 +/- 0.7 before airway stent insertion to 1.5 +/- 0.5 after airway stent insertion (P<.001). The mean dysphagia grade improved from 3.5 +/- 0.5 before esophageal stent insertion to 1.3 +/- 0.5 after esophageal stent insertion (P<.001). Stent-related complications included restenosis of the airway stent (n=2) and mild migration of the esophageal stent (n=2). There was no occurrence of airway-esophageal fistula after treatment. The mean survival of the 11 patients after double stent insertion was 105.5 +/- 18.5 days. The cumulative 3- and 6-month survival rates after double stent insertion were 54.5% and 9.1%, respectively. Conclusions: Double stent insertion is an easy, safe, and effective method in palliative treatment for patients with CAES.