title: Expandable stents: unique devices and clinical uses.
abstract: The use of stents throughout the gastrointestinal tract has evolved over the past century. The evolution of endoscopic ultrasound and significant improvements in stent design are key factors that have allowed endoscopists to drive the use of stents in gastroenterology into new directions. Endoscopic creativity remains crucial in the evolution of any new endoscopic technology. Finally, the use of multidisciplinary teams, including endoscopists, radiologists, and surgeons, allows for the exchange of ideas and procedural planning necessary for successful innovation.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Institute, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Mailstop C3-GAS, 1100 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. andrew.ross@vmmc.org
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kozarek
mesh_terms: D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000628:therapy; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage; D004867:Equipment Design; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000628:therapy*; D015607:Stents