Ces radiol. 2011, 65(2):112-116

Treatment of benign esophageal fistulae by covered biodegradable stents - the first resultsOriginal article

Marie Černá¹, Martin Köcher¹, Vlastimil Válek², René Aujeský³, Čestmír Neoral³, Tomáš Andrašina², Jiří Pánek², Shankari Mahathmakanthi¹, Jiří Kozák¹

¹ Radiologická klinika LF UP a FN, Olomouc

² Radiologická klinika FN, Brno

³ I. chirurgická klinika LF UP a FN, Olomouc

Aim: To evaluate our experience with the treatment of postoperative anastomotic leaks and benign esophageal perforations with covered biodegradable stents.

Methods: From 2008 to 2010 we treated 6 men with either an anastomotic leak or benign esophageal perforation by implanting of covered biodegradable Ella-BD stents. The average age of the patients was 60 years (range 38-74). Postoperative anastomotic leaks were treated in 5 patients (1 after esophagectomy, 1 after resection of the diverticulum, 1 after suture of esophagus, 2 after gastrectomy). In one patient perforation occurred as a complication of the treatment of an esophageal rupture (which occurred during a balloon dilatation of benign stenosis) with a metallic stent.

Results: Nine covered biodegradable stents were implanted in 6 patients. Primary technical success was 100%. Clinical success (leak sealing) was achieved in 5 out of the 6 patients (83%). Stent migration occurred in 4 patients. In 2 of these patients the leak had been sealed by the time of the stent migration, therefore no re-intervention was necessary. In two patients an additional stent had to be implanted.

Conclusion: The use of biodegradable covered stents in the treatment of anastomotic leaks or esophageal perforations is technically feasible and safe. The initial results are promising, however, large numbers of patients will be required to evaluate the capability of these biodegradable stents in the future. The use of biodegradable material for the coverage of the stent is essential.

Keywords: esophageal fistula, esophageal perforation, stent, biodegradable stent

Grants and funding:

Práce je podporována grantem Ministerstva zdravotnictví ČR IGA MZ ČR NS 10288-3/2009 a grantem Univerzity Palackého v Olomouci IGA UP Olomouc č. LF-2011-007.

Accepted: March 31, 2011; Published: June 1, 2011  Show citation