Effectiveness of open versus antireflux stents for palliation of distal esophageal carcinoma and prevention of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of an antireflux stent with that of a standard open stent in preventing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with inoperable distal esophageal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with inoperable distal esophageal tumors underwent placement of either a standard open or an antireflux stent across the cardia. Stents were allocated randomly before assessment of the stricture.