title: Biodegradable stents for the treatment of bowel strictures in Crohn's disease: technical results and challenges.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In patients with Crohn's disease, the idea of biodegradable stents for treatment of bowel strictures with limited effect of endoscopic balloon dilation is tempting and initial results have been promising. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical and clinical success of biodegradable stents for treatment of inflamed Crohn's strictures refractory to endoscopic balloon dilatation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients treated with biodegradable stents due to Crohn's disease and inflamed bowel strictures refractory to endoscopic balloon dilatation were included. Technical and clinical success were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients were included in the study. Technical success was obtained in five patients (83 %). Clinical success was limited to one patient (20 %); failure was observed due to mucosal overgrowth (n = 2), stent migration (n = 1), and stent collapse (n = 1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Crohn's disease, it is technically feasible to treat bowel strictures with biodegradable stents. However, we have stopped using biodegradable stents due to lack of clinical success and side effects such as mucosal overgrowth and stent collapse.
authors.affiliation: Gastro Unit, Division of Endoscopy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Denmark; Gastro Unit, Division of Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors.forename: John Gásdal
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Karstensen
authors.affiliation: Gastro Unit, Division of Endoscopy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Katrine Risager
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: Gastro Unit, Division of Endoscopy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jørn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brynskov
authors.affiliation: Gastro Unit, Division of Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rønholt
authors.affiliation: Gastro Unit, Division of Endoscopy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vilmann
authors.affiliation: Gastro Unit, Division of Endoscopy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hendel