Severe epithelial hyperplasia as a complication of a novel biodegradable stent

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

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]).

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]).

Fig. 3 Inflammatory tissue developing.

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]).

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.

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References

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