Use of an ultrathin gastroscope to allow endoscopic insertion of enteral wallstents without fluoroscopic monitoring.

Self-expanding metallic stents are useful in relieving tumoral obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopic insertion is usually made through the working channel of a therapeutic endoscope. Fluoroscopy during insertion is thought to be mandatory in most cases. Endoscopists sometimes encounter problems in using or accessing fluoroscopy facilities. This study describes a method to insert, under certain circumstances, enteral Wallstents using only endoscopic control. An ultrathin gastroscope is used to pass severe tumoral strictures and place a guide wire beyond the stenosis. The ultrathin gastroscope is removed leaving the guide wire in place, which is then inserted in a retrograde fashion into a therapeutic colonoscope, allowing insertion of through-the-scope stents. Successful insertion was achieved in 5 malignant gastric outlet obstructions and in 6 rectosigmoid tumoral obstructions. In conclusion, in some cases using an ultrathin endoscope to place a guide wire beyond the stricture can be useful for endoscopic placement of Wallstents without fluoroscopy.