Radiofrequency ablation combined with esophageal stent in the treatment of malignant esophageal stenosis: A single-center prospective study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with esophageal stent in treating malignant esophageal stenosis. Seventy patients with malignant esophageal obstruction treated in Department of Gastroenterology from April 2013 to April 2015 in China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University were enrolled. They were randomly assigned into the treatment group (radiofrequency ablation combined with esophageal stent) and control group (esophageal stent). To observe the degree of dysphagia, esophageal stenosis diameter, readmission time, adverse events and complications. There was no significant differences in dysphagia and esophageal diameter between the treatment group and the control group within 1–3 months after operation (P>0.05), and the degree of dysphagia and esophageal diameter in the treatment group at postoperative 6 months were better than those in the control group (P=0.018 and 0.038, respectively). The readmission time of the treatment group was also better than that of the control group (P=0.021). The adverse events and complications included hemorrhage, perforation and esophageal stent displacement. No significant differences in adverse events and complications between the treatment group and the control group were observed. All patients were successfully treated during hospitalization. Effect of radiofrequency ablation combined with esophageal stent implantation was better than esophageal stent implantation in the treatment of malignant esophageal stenosis, but it had no effect on the survival time.