Insertion of expandable metallic stents in esophageal cancer without fluoroscopy is safe and effective: a 5-year experience.

Background: Self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) placement is an important method of dysphagia palliation for patients with inoperable esophageal cancer. In most institutions, it is performed with fluoroscopic guidance; however, in 2001, we described a novel, direct-vision approach to SEMS placement, which does not require fluoroscopy. Here we report an audit of our experience over the last 5 years when using this methodology.