Impact of a new conceptualized anti-reflux Trumpet stent on the quality of life of patients with advanced carcinoma of the cardio-oesophageal junction

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a newly developed, self-expandable anti-reflux Trumpet (ART) stent customized for cardio oesophageal junctional (COJ) cancer on the feasibility of deployment, stent migration, quality of life, and symptom relief DESIGN: Prospective case series, Proof of concept pilot study SETTING: Tertiary Health Care Center, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban, Malaysia. Department of Surgery. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 17 patients diagnosed with advanced COJ tumour and who had never undergone any surgical, endoscopic, or chemoradiotherapy and indicated for stenting were recruited INTERVENTIONS: The study period was over nine months, and follow-up was one-month post-stenting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endpoint measures were feasibility of deployment of the new design, symptoms relief, early stent migration, early complication, GERD Q score, and (QOL)assessment. RESULTS: The ART stent was inserted successfully in all cases (17/17, 100%). There were two stent migrations due to the flexibility of the stent at the neck. There were no early or post-stenting one-month complications associated with the procedure. A good flow of contrast was seen in all the stents deployed. GERD Q score was low in all patients pre and post-stenting. Post-stenting there was a relief of dysphagia, weight gain, and a 60% improvement in QOL score. CONCLUSIONS: ART stent is feasible and technically successful in COJ tumours. It provides good symptom relief, improves the QOL, and has minimal early complications. FUNDING: None declared