Metal stenting together with arterial infusion for malignant gastroduodenal stenosis in elderly patients

Objective: To discuss the technical points of stent implantation for malignant gastroduodenal stenosis in elderly patients, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy of metal stenting combined with arterial infusion. Methods: A total of 32 patients of malignant gastroduodenal stenosis with ages over 75 years were enrolled in this study. Proper nursing care and medication were carried out during the perioperative period. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the catheter was orally inserted along a guidewire into the stomach and was pushed forward until the catheter tip passed through the gastroduodenal stricture or the obstructed segment. By using catheter exchange technique, the special super-hard guidewire with soft head was replaced by a delivery catheter system, through which the nickel-titanium alloy stent was placed in the narrowed segment. One to three times of arterial infusion and embolization were given to 15 patients. After the procedure, all the patients were kept under careful observation. Results: A total of 35 gastroduodenal stents were successfully placed in 32 patients. During the procedure, the vital signs were stable in all patients and no hypoxia, coughing, aspiration or other adverse effects occurred. After stent implantation, the clinical symptoms were completely relieved in 30 cases, partially relieved in 2 cases. One month after the treatment, the stent patency rate was 93.6%. The median survival rate was 6.3 months. Conclusion: Peroral duodenal stent implantation can be safely performed in elderly patients with malignant gastroduodenal stenosis. When combined with intra-arterial chemotherapy, the patient's living quality can be effectively improved and the survival time can be elongated. (authors)