Endoscopic and surgical palliation of esophageal cancer.

Background: Esophageal carcinoma is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore for most patients either surgical or endoscopic palliation with or without radiochemotherapy may be taken into consideration. This retrospective study analyzes immediate and long term results of perendoscopic treatment in patients with unresectable esophageal cancer.

Impact on the quality of remaining life of treatment with self-expandable metal prostheses in patients with inoperable esophago-cardial cancer. Results of a study of 107 consecutive patients treated with Ultraflex-type prostheses.

Background: Self-expanding metal stents are a new alternative for palliation of esophagocardial malignancies. We evaluated the impact of these stents on the quality of remaining life in patients affected by inoperable esophago-cardial cancer.

Methods: Between September 1992 and September 1997, 102 patients underwent implantation of self expanding metal stents for palliation of dysphagia due to esophagene or cardial cancer (76 patients), or for locally recurrent carcinoma after surgery (14 patients), lasertherapy (13 patients) or radiotherapy (5 patients).

Unilateral versus bilateral endoscopic hepatic duct drainage in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction: results of a prospective, randomized, and controlled study.

Background: The necessity for drainage of both liver lobes in tumors arising at the biliary bifurcation is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of unilateral versus bilateral drainage in patients with biliary obstruction at the hilum.

Methods: One hundred fifty-seven consecutive patients with primary cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer, or periportal lymph node metastases were randomly allocated to unilateral (group A) or bilateral (group B) hepatic duct drainage.

[Results of the use of endoprostheses in the treatment of retained common bile duct stones].

Background: The value of endoprostheses for long term management of bile duct stones has not been formally established. A retrospective evaluation of results and complications of the insertion of biliary endoprostheses was performed in patients with endoscopic irretrievable bile duct stones.

Methods: From January 1990 to September 1999, 52 patients (19 men and 33 women; average age 76 years), underwent endoscopic biliary stenting for endoscopically irretrievable bile duct stones.

Endoscopic stenting for definitive treatment of irretrievable common bile duct calculi. A long-term follow-up study of 49 patients.

Background/aims: The value of endoprostheses for long-term management of bile duct stones has not been formally established. A prospective evaluation of results and complications of the insertion of biliary endoprostheses was performed in patients with endoscopic irretrievable bile duct stones.

Methodology: From January 1990 to September 1998, 49 patients (18 men and 31 women; average age 75.