title: Covered biodegradable stent: new therapeutic option for the management of esophageal perforation or anastomotic leak.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed 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 five 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 (range, 38-74) years. Postoperative anastomotic leaks were treated in four patients (1 after esophagectomy, 1 after resection of diverticulum, 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
  Seven covered biodegradable stents were implanted in five patients. Primary technical success was 100%. Clinical success (leak sealing) was achieved in four of the five patients (80%). Stent migration occurred in three patients. In two of these patients, the leak had been sealed by the time of stent migration, therefore no reintervention was necessary. In one patient an additional stent had to be implanted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of biodegradable covered stents for the treatment of anastomotic leaks or esophageal perforations is technically feasible and safe. The initial results are promising; however, larger number of patients will be required to evaluate the capability of these biodegradable stents in the future. The use of biodegradable material for coverage of the stent is essential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital, I. P. Pavlova 6, 775 20 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Černá
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Köcher
authors.forename: Vlastimil
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Válek
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aujeský
authors.forename: Čestmír
authors.initials: Č
authors.lastname: Neoral
authors.forename: Tomáš
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Andrašina
authors.forename: Jiří
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pánek
authors.forename: Shankari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahathmakanthi
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible