The combination of laser recanalization and endoluminal intubation in the palliation of malignant dysphagia.
Laser recanalization and endoluminal intubation have been combined to optimize the palliation of malignant dysphagia in 37 patients. Nine patients with an endoluminal tube in situ presented with secondary dysphagia due to tumour overgrowth. Patency of the prosthesis was restored in all patients by laser recanalization with no complications. Twenty-eight patients treated initially by laser recanalization required subsequent intubation. The indications were dysphagia secondary to external compression (n = 3), significant angulation (n = 9), tracheo-oesophageal fistula (n = 3), failure of laser recanalization (n = 8), poor palliation (n = 3) or a combination of these (n = 2). There were no complications associated with the insertion of the tube and all patients subsequently reported improved swallowing. Laser recanalization or endoluminal intubation in isolation provide adequate palliation in the majority of patients with malignant dysphagia. We have shown that the appropriate timed combination of these two modalities may optimize the palliation of dysphagia in patients in whom the primary treatment modality fails.