• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2009

Self expandable metal stent (stent) implantation of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract is now widely accepted for the palliation of obstructive symptoms caused by inoperable malignant UGI obstruction. With the technical progress and accumulation of clinical experiences, it became possible to perform the procedure easily, safely and effectively. However, clinicians should pay attention to the post-procedural care, because early or late complications such as ulceration, pain, bleeding, food impaction, perforation, migration or in-stent tumor growth could occur. In this review, several topics about stent placement in the UGI tract are discussed, such as major indications for stenting, kinds of stents, and post-procedural management.