title: Expandable stents for benign esophageal disease.
abstract: Partially covered self-expandable esophageal stents have been associated with unacceptable complications when used for benign esophageal disorders. With the introduction of removable or potentially removable fully covered stents and biodegradable stents, interest in using expandable stents for benign indications has been revived. Although expandable stents can offer a minimally invasive alternative to surgery, they can be associated with serious complications; hence, this approach should be considered in carefully selected patients, preferably on a protocol basis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. kdua@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Kulwinder S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Dua
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D020878:Device Removal; D004867:Equipment Design; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000628:therapy*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000628:therapy*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000628:therapy*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals; D010969:Plastics; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D010969:Plastics