[Usefulness of self-expanding biodegradable prosthesis in the treatment of refractory benign stenosis: a case series study].

Background: The use of self-expanding biodegradable prosthesis treatment of refractory benign stenosis is still undefined.
Objective: To determine the utility and safety of biodegradable polydioxanone prostheses as treatment of gastrointestinal tract refractory benign strictures.
Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with refractory benign stricture of gastrointestinal tract following Kochman's criteria were included. The type of stenosis were anastomotic (n = 5), peptic (n = 1), post-radiotherapy (n = 1) and they were located in proximal esophagus-hypofarynge (n = 2), esophagus medium (n = 1), distal esophagus (n = 2) and rectum (n = 2). The prosthesis was placed under endoscopic and fluoroscopic control under conscious sedation with propofol.
Results: Seven patients (8 prosthesis) were included. Mean patient age was 49 years-old (range: 37-70). Insertion prosthesis was successful in all cases. Distal migration of prosthesis was observed in both rectal stenosis and was the indication of a second prosthesis placement in one case. At the end of follow-up (median follow-up 30 weeks for esophageal stricture, 33 weeks for rectal stricture) 5 patients remained asymptomatic. Eighty per cent of patients with esophageal stenosis showed partial and transient re-stenosis due to hyperplastic reaction during the degradation of the prosthesis, with transient dysphagia in two patients resolved medically. Complete prosthesis degradation was confirmed by endoscopy in all cases.
Conclusions: The use of self-expanding biodegradable polydioxanone prosthesis is a safe and utile therapeutic option for refractory benign gastrointestinal stenosis.