Esophageal lumen recreated with a self-expanding metal stent in a deep submucosal tunnel: a successful way to treat a refractory stricture

Esophageal strictures can be refractory to endoscopic dilations, making the goal of achieving oral feeding challenging. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) have been disappointing, with low success rates [1] [2] [3]. For complete esophageal obstruction, recanalization by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been described, bridging between the upper and the lower edges of the stricture beneath the mucosa [4]. Previous experience of ESD for recurrent lesions has taught us that a residual nonfibrotic submucosal layer can be present close to the muscle [5].

We here present the case of a 72-year-old man with a refractory esophageal peptic stricture, who underwent 14 unsuccessful dilations over 3 years and then developed a diverticulum above the stricture ([Video 1]). First, we decided to attempt a kind of Zenker’s peroral endoscopic myotomy to cure the fibrotic ring that had given rise to the diverticulum, but once we started to make the submucosal tunnel, we found that the deep submucosa was not fibrotic. Thus, we continued the deep submucosal tunnel to below the stricture area and retrieved the esophageal lumen by cutting through the mucosa from the tunnel into the esophagus. We decided to introduce a SEMS into the tunnel to form a new esophageal lumen ([Fig. 1]). Three months later, after removal of the stent, esophageal opacification showed the esophageal lumen to be regular and wide, without any stricture ([Fig. 2]). A small ring of fibrosis was still present on one side of the esophagus, and this was cut to prevent food impaction. Following stent removal, the patient noticed improvement of the dysphagia, and the improvement persisted 1 month later, with weight gain. However, endoscopic dilations were still necessary to maintain this good clinical result.

Video 1 Esophageal lumen recreated with a self-expanding metal stent in a deep submucosal tunnel: a successful way to treat a refractory stricture.

Fig. 1 Schematic illustration of the procedure. a, b A submucosal tunnel was created from a point above to a point below the stricture. c The esophageal lumen was retrieved by cutting through the mucosa from the tunnel into the esophagus. d, e A self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) was placed in the tunnel. f A residual small ring of fibrosis was cut to prevent food impaction.

Fig. 2 Esophageal lumen after opacification: a before SEMS removal, b after SEMS removal.

To summarize, in patients with refractory esophageal stricture, using the deep submucosal layer to place a stent into a tunnel could allow the creation of a new esophageal lumen without stricture. Although attractive, this technique needs further evaluation in larger population studies.

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Publication History

Article published online:
16 April 2021

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