Biodegradable polydioxanone stents: a new option for therapy-resistant anastomotic strictures of the colon
Abstract
To assess the outcome of self-expandable, biodegradable stent insertion for anastomotic strictures following treatment for rectosigmoid carcinoma. Three male patients (median age 66) developed benign strictures after radiotherapy and resection of a recto-sigmoid carcinoma.
These were resistant to balloon dilatation and prevented stoma reversal. Biodegradable stent insertion was performed as an experimental treatment on a named-patient basis with approval of the institutional review board.
Patients had monthly follow-up with endoscopy and contrast medium enemas to monitor performance and degradation of the stents. All stents were placed successfully without complications after pre-dilatation to 20 mm under fluoroscopic guidance.
Stent degradation occurred in all patients 4-5 months following implantation, and long-term anastomotic patency was demonstrated in all. This allowed reversal of the colostomy and physiological defecation in two patients.
Reversal was not undertaken in one due to subsequent dev