Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) have been routinely used to palliate patients with dysphagia caused by unresectable esophageal carcinoma, as well as patients with this malignancy who are poor candidates for surgery. Refractory benign esopohageal strictures are also problematic, treatment options include aggressive medical therapy with life-long esophageal dilation. Patients with benign esophageal stricture should have SEMS placed only if the risk of surgery is prohibitive and and the life expectancy is short. In addition, esophageal tissue responses to convetional metalic stents include inflammation, necrosis, and ulceration, with eventual fibrosis. The resultant hyperplastic tissue reaction may lead to worsening dysphagia and restenosis at the proximal or/and the distal end of the stent. A recently developed self-expandable plastic stent (SEPS) may circumvent these problems. SEPS have been well tolerated by patients and has proven efficiency.

        Key words: benign esophageal stricture, esophageal dilatation, self-expandable plastic stent (SEPS)