Canena, JorgeCanena, JorgeLiberato, Manuel José ARio-Tinto, Ricardo António NPinto-Marques, Pedro M.Romão, CarlosCoutinho, António Vasco Mello PereiraNeves, BeatrizSantos-Silva, Maria Filipa Costa Neves2017-09-142017-09-142012-06-121471-230XPURE: 3130621PURE UUID: d3646d33-173e-4140-8d6b-1edd0f0dfc13Scopus: 84866373226PubMed: 22691296WOS: 000308997100001http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84866373226&partnerID=8YFLogxKBackground: Refractory benign esophageal strictures (RBESs) have been treated with the temporary placement of different self-expanding stents with conflicting results. We compared the clinical effectiveness of 3 types of stents: self-expanding plastic stents (SEPSs), biodegradable stents, and fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMSs), for the treatment of RBES.Methods: This study prospectively evaluated 3 groups of 30 consecutive patients with RBESs who underwent temporary placement of either SEPSs (12 weeks, n = 10), biodegradable stents (n = 10) or FCSEMSs (12 weeks, n = 10). Data were collected to analyze the technical success and clinical outcome of the stents as evaluated by recurrent dysphagia, complications and reinterventions.Results: Stent implantation was technically successful in all patients. Migration occurred in 11 patients: 6 (60%) in the SEPS group, 2 (20%) in the biodegradable group and 3 (30%) in the FCSEMS group (P = 0.16). A total of 8/30 patients (26.6%) were dysphagia-free after the end of follow-up: 1 (10%) in the SEPS group, 3 (30%) in the biodegradable group and 4 (40%) in the FCSEMS group (P = 0.27). More reinterventions were required in the SEPS group (n = 24) than in the biodegradable group (n = 13) or the FCSEMS group (n = 13) (P = 0.24). Multivariate analysis showed that stricture length was significantly associated with higher recurrence rates after temporary stent placement (HR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.08-1.75; P = 0.011).Conclusions: Temporary placement of a biodegradable stent or of a FCSEMS in patients with RBES may lead to long-term relief of dysphagia in 30 and 40% of patients, respectively. The use of SEPSs seems least preferable, as they are associated with frequent stent migration, more reinterventions and few cases of long-term improvement. Additionally, longer strictures were associated with a higher risk of recurrence.131323597engBiodegradable stentsExpandable esophageal stentsFully covered self-expanding metal stentsRefractory benign esophageal stricturesSelf-expanding plastic stentsGastroenterologyjournal article10.1186/1471-230X-12-70https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84866373226