title: Biodegradable stents for the treatment of refractory or recurrent benign esophageal stenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophageal stents are used for the treatment of refractory and recurrent dyphagias. In 2007, esophageal biodegradable stents (EBS) were authorised as an alternative to existing metal and plastic stents in Europe. The advantages claimed for EBS are fewer complications concerning tissue ingrowth, stent migration and stent removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EBS compared to fully-covered self-expanding metal stents, self-expanding plastic stents, and esophageal dilation for the treatment of refractory or recurrent benign esophageal stenosis. Three comparative studies (one randomized controlled trial and two cohort studies) were assessed. The studies used different inclusion criteria, had a very small (sample) size and the quality of the evidence was very low. Expert commentary: The current evidence is insufficient to determine the relative efficacy or safety of esophageal biodegradable stents. The results of this systematic review should be updated once new evidence is available.
authors.affiliation: a AETS (Agencia de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias - Health Technology Assessment Agency) , Instituto de Salud Carlos III - 'Carlos III' Institute for Health , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Iñaki
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Imaz-Iglesia
authors.affiliation: a AETS (Agencia de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias - Health Technology Assessment Agency) , Instituto de Salud Carlos III - 'Carlos III' Institute for Health , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García-Pérez
authors.affiliation: b Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Health Technology Assessment , Wien , Austria.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nachtnebel
authors.affiliation: c General Directorate of Professional Regulation , Health Ministry of Health , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martín-Águeda
authors.affiliation: d Research Unit of Spanish Rheumatology Scientific Society , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Piedra
authors.affiliation: e SAGEM, General Directorate of Health Research , Ministry of Health , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: Bilgehan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karadayi
authors.affiliation: e SAGEM, General Directorate of Health Research , Ministry of Health , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Rıza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Demirbaş
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D015607:Stents
keywords: Oesophagus obstruction; absorbable implants; bioprosthesis; esophageal dilatation; esophageal stenosis; health technology assessment; stents