Endoscopy 2009; 41: E137-E138
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1214634
Unusual cases and technical notes

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Severe epithelial hyperplasia as a complication of a novel biodegradable stent

A.  Orive-Calzada1 , M.  Álvarez-Rubio1 , S.  Romero-Izquierdo1 , M.  Cobo Martin1 , J.  F.  Juanmartiñena1 , M.  Ogueta-Fernández1 , E.  Molina-Álvarez1 , L.  Eraña-Ledesma1
  • 1Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Santiago Apóstol, C/Olaguibel 29, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain
Further Information

A. Orive-CalzadaMD 

Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hospital Santiago Apóstol

C/Olaguibel 29
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Alava 01004
Spain

Fax: +34-945-007600

Email: aitor_orive@yahoo.com

Publication History

Publication Date:
19 June 2009 (online)

Table of Contents

A 56-year-old woman with a total gastrectomy and an esophagojejunal anastomosis developed a severe stricture of the surgical anastomosis ([Fig. 1]).

Zoom Image

Fig. 1 Severe stricture of the surgical anastomosis.

The stricture was radiologically dilated, resulting in perforation during the dilation maneuvers. The perforation was resolved nonsurgically. The stricture recurred, so we placed a covered metal stent that was removed after 2 months, but the stricture recurred again afterwards.

In this situation, we decided to place the SX-Ella-BD (Ella-CS, s. r. o., Hradec Králové, Czech Republic) – a new polydioxanone (PDS) biodegradable stent – under radiologic and endoscopic guidance ([Fig. 2]).

Zoom Image

Fig. 2 Stent placement.

Three months later the patient attended complaining of progressive dysphagia. Endoscopy revealed that the stent had already degraded, and a new severe stricture caused by hyperplastic inflammatory tissue was found at the level corresponding to the position of the proximal end of the stent ([Fig. 3 and 4]).

Zoom Image

Fig. 3 Inflammatory tissue developing.

Zoom Image

Fig. 4 New stricture caused by inflammatory tissue hyperplasia that developed within the proximal end of the stent 14 weeks after the stent was placed.

The first (postsurgical) stricture now had a slightly larger diameter than before the stent placement. The hyperplasia was successfully dilated endoscopically ([Fig. 5]).

Zoom Image

Fig. 5 Dilation of the stenosis.

The dysphagia disappeared after dilation of the hyperplastic stricture.

It is assumed that the biocompatibility characteristics of the new biodegradable stents may avoid the risk of developing new hyperplastic strictures better than the commonly used self-expanding plastic (SEPS) and metal stents (SEMS) [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. We report the development in our patient of severe epithelial hyperplasia as a complication of a novel biodegradable stent. This new stricture was treated effectively with balloon dilation. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which this complication has been reported in association with this kind of biodegradable stent.

Despite the effectiveness of biodegradable stents in dilating strictures, and even despite their being theoretically biocompatible, they may not be able to confer exemption from the development of hyperplastic strictures. The hyperplasia was easily and successfully dilated. Further studies are needed to determine the real effectivity and safety of this stent.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AJ_2AF

#

References

  • 1 Ackroyd R, Watson D I, Devitt P G, Jamieson G G. Expandable metallic stents should not be used in the treatment of benign esophageal strictures.  J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2001;  16 484-487
  • 2 Song H Y, Jung H Y, Park S I. et al . Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents in patients with benign esophageal strictures: initial experience.  Radiology. 2000;  217 551-557
  • 3 Barthel J S, Kelley S T, Klapman J B. Management of persistent gastroesophageal anastomotic strictures with removable self-expandable polyester silicon-covered (Polyflex) stents: an alternative to serial dilation.  Gastrointes endosc. 2008;  67 546-552
  • 4 Zilberman M, Nelson K D, Eberhart R C. Mechanical properties and in vitro degradation of bioresorbable fibers and expandable fiber-based stents.  J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2005;  74 792-799
  • 5 Tanaka T, Takahashi M, Nitta N. et al . Newly developed biodegradable stents for benign gastrointestinal tract stenoses: a preliminary clinical trial.  Digestion. 2006;  74 199-205

A. Orive-CalzadaMD 

Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hospital Santiago Apóstol

C/Olaguibel 29
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Alava 01004
Spain

Fax: +34-945-007600

Email: aitor_orive@yahoo.com

#

References

  • 1 Ackroyd R, Watson D I, Devitt P G, Jamieson G G. Expandable metallic stents should not be used in the treatment of benign esophageal strictures.  J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2001;  16 484-487
  • 2 Song H Y, Jung H Y, Park S I. et al . Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents in patients with benign esophageal strictures: initial experience.  Radiology. 2000;  217 551-557
  • 3 Barthel J S, Kelley S T, Klapman J B. Management of persistent gastroesophageal anastomotic strictures with removable self-expandable polyester silicon-covered (Polyflex) stents: an alternative to serial dilation.  Gastrointes endosc. 2008;  67 546-552
  • 4 Zilberman M, Nelson K D, Eberhart R C. Mechanical properties and in vitro degradation of bioresorbable fibers and expandable fiber-based stents.  J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2005;  74 792-799
  • 5 Tanaka T, Takahashi M, Nitta N. et al . Newly developed biodegradable stents for benign gastrointestinal tract stenoses: a preliminary clinical trial.  Digestion. 2006;  74 199-205

A. Orive-CalzadaMD 

Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hospital Santiago Apóstol

C/Olaguibel 29
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Alava 01004
Spain

Fax: +34-945-007600

Email: aitor_orive@yahoo.com

Zoom Image

Fig. 1 Severe stricture of the surgical anastomosis.

Zoom Image

Fig. 2 Stent placement.

Zoom Image

Fig. 3 Inflammatory tissue developing.

Zoom Image

Fig. 4 New stricture caused by inflammatory tissue hyperplasia that developed within the proximal end of the stent 14 weeks after the stent was placed.

Zoom Image

Fig. 5 Dilation of the stenosis.