Esophageal stent placement is a widely used endoscopic option for the management of both malignant and benign esophageal diseases. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of esophageal stent placement at a tertiary referral center.

We retrospectively included all consecutive patients who underwent esophageal stenting between 05/2023 and 05/2025 at our hospital. Data on indications, stent type, use of fixation techniques, technical success, complications and outcomes were collected.

Overall, 32 patients were included [women: 36%, age: 64 (58–72) years]. The indication was malignancy in 20 (64%) patients [esophageal cancer (EC): 14 (69%), non-EC extrinsic malignant compression: 4 (19%), EC anastomotic recurrence: 2 (12%)], and benign in 12(36%) [anastomotic leak: 4 (34%), post-radiation stricture: 3 (22%), postoperative anastomotic stricture: 1 (11%), caustic injury: 1 (11%), variceal bleeding: 1 (11%), intubation-related esophageal perforation: 1 (11%)]. All patients received a self-expandable metal stent (partially or fully covered), placed endoscopically only, without any need for X-ray. Technical success with uneventful stent deployment was 100%. Stent fixation (through-the-scope clips or StentFix OTSC®) was used in 9 patients. Stent migration occurred in 3 patients, all without prior fixation, and was managed by restenting (n=2) or with stent-in-stent placement (n=1). Elective stent removal at 6–8 weeks was successfully performed in 8 patients with benign strictures or anastomotic leaks. During a mean follow-up of 110 ± 76 days, 18 patients with malignant indications died,with a mean survival of approximately 3.5 months (106 ± 21 days) after stenting.

Esophageal stenting is a safe and effective therapeutic option for a broad spectrum of malignant and benign esophageal diseases. The use of fixation techniques appears to reduce the risk of stent migration and should be considered, especially in high-risk scenarios.