Biodegradable stent for the treatment of a colonic stricture in Crohn’s disease

Interventional endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease: a comprehensive review

Interventional endoscopy can play a key role in the multidisciplinary management of complex inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as an adjunct to medical and surgical therapy. The primary role of interventional IBD (IIBD) includes the treatment of Crohn's disease-related stricture, fistula, and abscess. Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD), endoscopic stricturotomy, and placement of endoscopic stents are different forms of endoscopic stricture therapy. EBD is the most widely used therapy whereas endoscopic stricturotomy has higher long-term efficacy than EBD. Fully covered and partially covered self-expanding metal stents are useful in long and refractory strictures whereas lumen-apposing metal stents can be used in short, and anastomotic strictures. Endoscopic fistula/abscess therapy includes endoscopic fistulotomy, seton placement, endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of rectal/pelvic abscess, and endoscopic injection of filling agents (fistula plug/glue/stem cell). Endoscopic seton placement and fistulotomy are mainly feasible in short, superficial, single tract fistula and in those with prior surgical seton placement. Similarly, endoscopic fistulotomy is usually feasible in short, superficial, single-tract fistula. Endoscopic closure therapies like over-the-scope clips, suturing, and self-expanding metal stent should be avoided for de novo/bowel to hollow organ fistulas. Other indications include management of postoperative complications in IBD such as management of surgical leaks and complications of pouchitis in ulcerative colitis. Additional indications include endoscopic resection of ulcerative colitis-associated neoplasia (by endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and endoscopic full-thickness resection), retrieval of retained capsule endoscope, and control of bleeding. IIBD therapies can potentially act as a bridge between medical and surgical therapy for properly selected IBD patients.

Endoscopic luminal stenting: Current applications and future perspectives

Endoscopic luminal stenting (ELS) represents a minimally invasive option for the management of malignant obstruction along the gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies have shown that ELS can provide rapid relief of symptoms related to esophageal, gastric, small intestinal, colorectal, biliary, and pancreatic neoplastic strictures without compromising cancer patients’ overall safety. As a result, in both palliative and neoadjuvant settings, ELS has largely surpassed radiotherapy and surgery as a first-line treatment modality. Following the abovementioned success, the indications for ELS have gradually expanded. To date, ELS is widely used in clinical practice by well-trained endoscopists in managing a wide variety of diseases and complications, such as relieving non-neoplastic obstructions, sealing iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic perforations, closing fistulae and treating post-sphincterotomy bleeding. The abovementioned development would not have been achieved without corresponding advances and innovations in stent technology. However, the technological landscape changes rapidly, making clinicians’ adaptation to new technologies a real challenge. In our mini-review article, by systematically reviewing the relevant literature, we discuss current developments in ELS with regard to stent design, accessories, techniques, and applications, expanding the research basis that was set by previous studies and highlighting areas that need to be further investigated.

Systematic Review of Endoscopic Management of Stricture, Fistula and Abscess in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Interventional inflammatory bowel disease (IIBD) therapies can play a key role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) related stricture/fistula/abscess deferring or avoiding invasive surgery. Methods: A total of 112 studies pertaining to IIBD therapy for strictures/fistula/abscess between 2002 and December 2022 were included by searching Pubmed, Medline and Embase with a focus on technical/clinical success, recurrence, re-intervention and complications. Results: IIBD therapy for strictures include endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD), endoscopic stricturotomy (ES) and self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement. EBD is the primary therapy for short strictures while ES and SEMS can be used for refractory strictures. ES has higher long-term efficacy than EBD. SEMS is inferior to EBD although it can be useful in long, refractory strictures. Fistula therapy includes endoscopic incision and drainage (perianal fistula)/endoscopic seton (simple, low fistula) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage (pelvic abscess). Fistulotomy can be done for short, superficial, single tract, bowel-bowel fistula. Endoscopic injection of filling agents (fistula plug/glue/stem cell) is feasible although durability is unknown. Endoscopic closure therapies like over-the-scope clips (OTSC), suturing and SEMS should be avoided for de-novo/bowel to hollow organ fistulas. Conclusion: IIBD therapies have the potential to act as a bridge between medical and surgical therapy for properly selected IBD-related stricture/fistula/abscess although future controlled studies are warranted.

Bioresorbable PPDO sliding-lock stents with optimized FDM parameters for congenital heart disease treatment

Stent implantation has been a promising therapy for congenital heart disease (CHD) due to better efficacy. Compared to permanent metal stents, bioresorbable polymer stents have shown a great advantage in accommodating the vascular growth of pediatric patients, but the application is still limited due to inferior radial strength. Here, bioresorbable poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) sliding-lock stents for CHD treatment were fabricated by fused deposition modeling (FDM). The effects of FDM processing parameters, including nozzle temperature, bed temperature, layer thickness, and printing speed, on the mechanical properties of PPDO parts were investigated to optimize the processing condition to enhance the radial strength of stents. Finite element analysis (FEA) was also used to evaluate the mechanical properties of stents. PPDO sliding-lock stents fabricated under optimized FDM parameters showed radial strength of 3.315 ± 0.590 N/mm, superior to benchmark commercial metal stents. Radial strength curve and compression behavior of PPDO sliding-lock stents were investigated. Results of FEA exhibited that strut width, shape of the mesh cell and surface coverage ratio had an impact on the compression force of PPDO sliding-lock stents. PPDO sliding-lock stents fabricated with optimized FDM parameters show favorable mechanical performance and meet the requirement of CHD treatment.

Endoscopic Stenting for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Strictures

Strictures are among the most frequent complications in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), usually requiring a combined medical, surgical, and/or endoscopic approach to treatment. Currently, endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is the endoscopic treatment of choice, but its effectiveness is not universal, especially in the long term, and it is not free of complications. The technological evolution of stents in recent years has allowed their use in benign diseases of any origin and location, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The current scientific evidence regarding the use of stents in strictures in IBD is limited and it should not be considered the first option in endoscopic treatment. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS), but no biodegradable stents (BS), can work in cases that are refractory to anterior endoscopic treatment with EBD, in cases in which EBD is not possible, and in cases with strictures of greater length.

Position Statement. Recommendations of the Spanish Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU) on the treatment of strictures in Crohn's disease

Despite pharmacological advances, strictures in Crohn's disease (CD) continues to be an important problem that leads in a high percentage of patients to undergo endoscopic and/or surgical treatments. There are currently no clinical scores or diagnostic tools that allow predicting which patients will develop this complication, and when a stricture is diagnosed, it is usually already well established and clinically relevant. The current role of pharmacological treatment is limited to treat inflammation and once there is significant fibrosis, the only therapeutic options are endoscopic and/or surgical. To establish a correct therapeutic algorithm and based on the current scientific evidence available, the Spanish Group Working on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU) has decided to conduct this position statement on the treatment of strictures in CD. This document embraces the three mentioned therapeutic approaches, medical, endoscopic and surgical. Recommendations and therapeutic algorithms are established to help us to choose the most appropriate option based on the characteristics of the stricture and the patient.

Futuristic Developments and Applications in Endoluminal Stenting

Endoscopic stenting is a well-established option for the treatment of malignant obstruction, temporary management of benign strictures, and sealing transmural defects, as well as drainage of pancreatic fluid collections and biliary obstruction. In recent years, in addition to expansion in indications for endoscopic stenting, considerable strides have been made in stent technology, and several types of devices with advanced designs and materials are continuously being developed. In this review, we discuss the important developments in stent designs and novel indications for endoluminal and transluminal stenting. Our discussion specifically focuses on (i) biodegradable as well as (ii) irradiating and drug-eluting stents for esophageal, gastroduodenal, biliary, and colonic indications, (iii) endoscopic stenting in inflammatory bowel disease, and (iv) lumen-apposing metal stent.

The Pathogenesis and Clinical Management of Stricturing Crohn Disease

Stricturing of the gastrointestinal tract is a common complication in Crohn disease and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among this population. The inflammatory process initiates fibrosis, leading to aberrant wound healing and excess deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Our understanding of this process has grown and encompasses cellular mechanisms, epigenetic modifications, and inherent genetic predisposition toward fibrosis. Although medications can improve inflammation, there is still no drug to attenuate scar formation. As such, management of stricturing disease requires a multidisciplinary and individualized approach including medical management, therapeutic endoscopy, and surgery. This review details the current understanding regarding the pathogenesis, detection, and management of stricturing Crohn disease.

Evolving role of endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease: Going beyond diagnosis

Inflammatory bowel disease, encompassing Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis, are chronic immune-mediated inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract with periods of activity and remission. Large body of evidence exist to strengthen the prognostic role of endoscopic evaluation for both disease activity and severity and it remains the gold standard for the assessment of mucosal healing. Mucosal healing has been associated with improved clinical outcomes with prolonged remission, decreased hospitalization, IBD-related surgeries and colorectal cancer risk. Therefore, endoscopic objectives in IBD have been incorporated as part of standard care. With the known increased risk of colorectal cancer in IBD, although prevention strategies continue to develop, regular surveillance for early detection of neoplasia continue to be paramount in IBD patients’ care. It is thanks to evolving technology and visualization techniques that surveillance strategies are continuously advancing. Therapeutic endoscopic options in IBD have also been expanding, from surgery sparing therapies such as balloon dilation of fibrostenotic strictures in CD to endoscopic mucosal resection of neoplastic lesions. In this review article, we discuss the current evidence on the use of endoscopy as part of standard of care of IBD, its role in surveillance of neoplasia, and the role of interventional endoscopic therapies.

Local drug delivery systems for inflammatory diseases: Status quo, challenges, and opportunities

Inflammation that is not resolved in due course becomes a chronic disease. The treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases involves a long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often accompanied by dose-dependent side effects. Local drug delivery systems have been widely explored to reduce their off-target side effects and the medication frequency, with several products making to the market or in development over the years. However, numerous challenges remain, and drug delivery technology is underutilized in some applications. This review showcases local drug delivery systems in different inflammatory diseases, including the targets well-known to drug delivery scientists (e.g., joints, eyes, and teeth) and other applications with untapped opportunities (e.g., sinus, bladder, and colon). In each section, we start with a brief description of the disease and commonly used therapy, introduce local drug delivery systems currently on the market or in the development stage, focusing on polymeric systems, and discuss the remaining challenges and opportunities in future product development.

Uncovered self-expandable metal stents for the treatment of refractory benign colorectal anastomotic stricture

Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement has been suggested as a therapeutic modality for treating benign colorectal strictures. Covered stents are generally used, given the concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of uncovered stents. Hence, few studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of uncovered SEMSs (UCSEMSs) in patients with refractory benign colorectal anastomotic strictures. In this study, 12 patients with postoperative benign symptomatic anastomotic strictures refractory to pneumatic dilation (range, 2–9) and transient indwelling-covered SEMSs were treated using UCSEMS. All enrolled patients were men (mean age, 61 years). Stent placement was successful in all 12 patients, and early clinical success was achieved in 11 (92%) patients. Four patients (25%) showed successful clinical outcomes without further intervention, but eight patients (75%) were clinically unsuccessful, and showed stricture recurrence or functional obstructive symptoms. Three patients underwent surgery, and the remaining five patients required repeat stent procedures. Despite the high reobstruction rate, the median follow-up period after UCSEMS placement was 16.7 months, demonstrating that UCSEMS may be able to achieve medium-term symptom relief without any complications. Therefore, UCSEMS may be an alternative option in exceptional circumstances in carefully selected patients, where invasive surgical treatments, such as stoma diversion, are not an option, thereby improving patients’ quality of life.

Endoscopic Management of Benign Colonic Obstruction and Pseudo-Obstruction

There are a variety of causes of intestinal obstruction, with the most common cause being malignant diseases; however, volvulus, inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis, radiation injury, ischemia, and pseudo-obstruction can also cause colonic obstruction. These are benign conditions; however, delayed diagnosis of acute intestinal obstruction owing to these causes can cause critical complications, such as perforation. Therefore, high levels of clinical suspicion and appropriate treatment are crucial. There are variable treatment options for colonic obstruction, and endoscopic treatment is known to be a less invasive and an effective option for such. In this article, the authors review the causes of benign colonic obstruction and pseudo-obstruction and the role of endoscopy in treating them.

Role of interventional inflammatory bowel disease in the era of biologic therapy: a position statement from the Global Interventional IBD Group

Interventional (or therapeutic) inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) endoscopy has an expanding role in the treatment of disease and surgical adverse events. Endoscopic therapy has been explored and used in the management of strictures, fistulas/abscesses, colitis-associated neoplasia, postsurgical acute or chronic leaks, and obstructions. The endoscopic therapeutic modalities include balloon dilation, stricturotomy, stent placement, fistulotomy, fistula injection and clipping, sinusotomy, EMR, and endoscopic submucosal dissection. With a better understanding of the disease course of IBD, improved long-term impact of medical therapy, and advances in endoscopic technology, we can foresee interventional IBD becoming an integrated part of the multidisciplinary approach to patients with complex IBD.

Crohn's disease associated strictures

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting disease that can affect any segments of the gastrointestinal tract. More than 50% of patients with CD develop stricturing or penetrating complications within the first 10 years after diagnosis. Strictures can lead to intestinal obstruction, which is a common indication for surgery. Despite significant advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of intestinal fibrostenosis, imaging and therapeutic armamentarium of CD, the risk of intestinal surgery remained significantly high. Endoscopic balloon dilation is a promising first-line alternative to surgery as it is less invasive and could preserve intestinal length. In this review, we will evaluate the literature on the mechanism of intestinal fibrosis, emerging imaging techniques, and management strategies for CD associated strictures.

Interventional IBD: The Role of Endoscopist in the Multidisciplinary Team Management of IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been traditionally managed by IBD medical doctors or IBDologists and colorectal surgeons. Complications related to IBD and IBD surgery, such as stricture, fistula, and abscess, are common. For the past decade, endoscopic therapy has emerged as a valid treatment option for those complications. Endoscopic therapy provides more effective therapy for those structural complications than medical treatment, while being a less invasive approach than surgery. Endoscopic therapy plays a growing role in bridging medical and surgical therapies and is becoming an important component in the multidisciplinary approach to complex IBD. In fact, endoscopic therapy has become the treatment of choice for anastomotic stricture and anastomotic sinus. The role of endoscopic resection of colitis-associated neoplasia is currently being explored. Interventional IBD is intellectually and technically challenging. We are calling for proper teaching and training of our next generation of IBD interventionists.

Endoscopy in the Diagnosis and Management of Complications of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The role of endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has grown over the last decade in both diagnostic and therapeutic realms. It aids in the initial diagnosis of the disease and also in the assessment of the extent and severity of disease. IBD is associated with development of multiple complications such as strictures, fistulae, and colon cancers. Endoscopy plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis of colon cancer in patients with IBD through incorporation of chromoendoscopy for surveillance. In addition, endoscopic resection with surveillance is recommended in the management of polypoid dysplastic lesions without flat dysplasia. IBD-associated benign strictures with obstructive symptoms amenable to endoscopic intervention can be managed with endoscopic balloon dilation both in the colon and small intestine. In addition, endoscopy plays a major role in assessing the neoterminal ileum after surgery to risk-stratify patients after ileocolonic resection and assessment of a patient with ileoanal pouch anastomosis surgery and management of postsurgical complications. Our article summarizes the current evidence in the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and management of complications of IBD.

The role of stents in the treatment of Crohn's disease strictures

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Stenosis is one of the most frequent local complications in Crohn's disease (CD). Surgery is not the ideal treatment because of the high rate of postoperative recurrence. Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) currently is the current treatment of choice for short strictures amenable to the procedure. However, it is not applicable or effective in all the cases, and it is not without related complications. Our goal was to summarize the published information regarding the use and the role of the stents in the treatment of CD stricture. A Medline search was performed on the terms "stricture," "stenosis," "stent" and "Crohn's disease."

RESULTS

a total of 19 publications met our search criteria for an overall number of 65 patients. Placing a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) may be a safe and effective alternative to EBD and/or surgical intervention in the treatment of short stenosis in patients with CD. Indications are the same as those for EBD. In addition, SEMS may be useful in stenosis refractory to EBD and may be suitable in the treatment of longer or more complex strictures that cannot be treated by EBD. With the current information, it seems that the best treatment option is the placement of a fully covered stent for a mean time of 4 weeks. Regarding the use of biodegradable stents, the information is limited and showing poor results.

CONCLUSIONS

the use of stents in the treatment of strictures in CD should be taken into account either as a first endoscopic therapy or in case of EBD failure.

Stents for colorectal obstruction: Past, present, and future

Since the development of uncovered self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) in the 1990s, endoscopic stents have evolved dramatically. Application of new materials and new designs has expanded the indications for enteral SEMS. At present, enteral stents are considered the first-line modality for palliative care, and numerous types of enteral stents are under development for extended clinical usage, beyond a merely palliative purpose. Herein, we will discuss the current status and the future development of lower enteral stents.

Biodegradable stents in gastrointestinal endoscopy

Biodegradable stents (BDSs) are an attractive option to avoid ongoing dilation or surgery in patients with benign stenoses of the small and large intestines. The experience with the currently the only BDS for endoscopic placement, made of Poly-dioxanone, have shown promising results. However some aspects should be improved as are the fact that BDSs lose their radial force over time due to the degradable material, and that can cause stent-induced mucosal or parenchymal injury. This complication rate and modest clinical efficacy has to be carefully considered in individual patients prior to placement of BDSs. Otherwise, the price of these stents therefore it is nowadays an important limitation.