A multicenter, prospective randomized trial comparing two types of self-expanding stents in the palliation of malignant dysphagia: SEMS (Ultraflex Stent) versus SEPS (Polyflex Ste…

Aims: High-grade dysphagia is the predominant late symptom of local advanced esophagogastric cancer. Placement of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) is an established method of treatment for inoperable esophagogastric cancers. The major disadvantage of SEMS is its high upfront costs. A new self-expandable plastic stent (SEPS) has been developed recently. Methods: To evaluate efficacy and outcome of a special type of SEMS (Ultraflex stent) versus the new designed SEPS (Polyflex stent) in malignant dysphagia. Multicenter, prospective randomized trial of 60 patients (pts.) with malignant dysphagia due to esophagog…