Abstract: We had used the Nickel Titanium alloy esophageal stent to treat the patients with esophageal stricture in 29 cases from Mar.1992 to Jan.1996,including 19 cases of benign stricture, and 10 cases of malignant stricture. All the stent insertion were successfully completed after the esophagus was dilated through the patients′ mouth under fluoroscopy.The dysphagia was improved. The life quality of the patients have been improved.There was no severe complication and mortality in this series. We suggest that the Nickel-Titanium alloy esophageal stent affords an effective method for the treatment of esophageal stricture.

Key words: Nickel-Titanium alloy stent, esophageal stricture, swallowing difficulty