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Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2008; 14(24): 3798-3803
Published online Jun 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.3798
Endoscopic stenting-Where are we now and where can we go?
Mark Terence McLoughlin, Michael Francis Byrne
Mark Terence McLoughlin, Michael Francis Byrne, UBC Division of Gastroenterology, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada
Author contributions: McLoughlin MT and Byrne MF contributed equally to this paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Michael Francis Byrne, MA, MD (Cantab), MRCP (UK), FRCPC, UBC Division of Gastroenterology, 5135-2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada. michael.byrne@vch.ca
Telephone: +1-604-8755640
Fax: +1-604-8755447
Received: February 18, 2008
Revised: May 10, 2008
Accepted: May 17, 2008
Published online: June 28, 2008
Abstract

Self expanding metal stents (SEMS) play an important role in the management of malignant obstructing lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. Traditionally, they have been used for palliation in malignant gastric outlet and colonic obstruction and esophageal malignancy. The development of the polyflex stent, which is a removable self expanding plastic stent, allows temporary stent insertion for benign esophageal disease and possibly for patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to esophagectomy. Potential complications of SEMS insertion include perforation, tumour overgrowth or ingrowth, and stent migration. Newer stents are being developed with the aim of increasing technical and clinical success rates, while reducing complication rates. Other areas of development include biodegradable stents for benign disease and radioactive or drug-eluting stents for malignant disease. It is hoped that, in the future, newer stents will improve our management of these difficult conditions and, possibly, provide prognostic as well as symptomatic benefit in the setting of malignant obstruction.

Keywords: Endoscopy; Stent; Palliation; Bowel obstruction; Malignancy