Effect of drug-eluting metal stents in benign esophageal stricture: an in vivo animal study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The aim of this study in canines was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of self-expandable metal stents, which were coated with paclitaxel to minimize the tissue response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 14 dogs (5-10 kg) were randomly allocated to two groups. Drug-eluting stents (DES, n = 7) or nondrug-eluting stents (non-DES, n = 7) were endoscopically inserted and fixed in the esophagus of healthy dogs. Every 2 weeks, for a maximum period of 8 weeks, an endoscopic examination was performed to evaluate the status of stent insertion, the grade of tissue hyperplasia, and mucosal change at both ends of the stent. RESULTS: One case of stent migration was observed after 4 weeks in the non-DES group. In this group, tissue reaction and hyperplasia remained for more than 4 weeks after stent insertion. By contrast, an endoscopic examination of the surrounding esophageal mucosa in the DES group showed very little tissue reaction, and the stent was easily separated from the esophageal tissue. CONCLUSION: Although further studies are required to confirm our results, we suggest that these newly designed DES may provide an alternative tool to manage refractory benign esophageal stricture.