Open AccessBiodegradable stents in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Author(s) -
Vicente Lorenzo-Zúñiga,
Vicente Moreno-de-Vega,
Íngrid Marín,
Jaume Boix
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v20.i9.2212
Subject(s) - medicine , endoscopy , stent , surgery , radial force variation , complication , dilation (metric space) , radiology , mechanical engineering , mathematics , combinatorics , engineering
Biodegradable stents (BDSs) are an attractive option to avoid ongoing dilation or surgery in patients with benign stenoses of the small and large intestines. The experience with the currently the only BDS for endoscopic placement, made of Poly-dioxanone, have shown promising results. However some aspects should be improved as are the fact that BDSs lose their radial force over time due to the degradable material, and that can cause stent-induced mucosal or parenchymal injury. This complication rate and modest clinical efficacy has to be carefully considered in individual patients prior to placement of BDSs. Otherwise, the price of these stents therefore it is nowadays an important limitation.