[Experimental study of endoesophageal and intestinal expandable metallic stent placement]

Gianturco expandable metallic stents were implanted into the esophagus and small intestine of 10 rabbits in order to evaluate the influence of wire stents on the gastrointestinal tract. The stents were constructed of 0.010 inch stainless steel wire. The relaxed diameter of the stents was 12-14 mm and the length was 10 mm. Except for one stent placed in the small intestine, the stents did not migrate and were covered with thickening mucosal epithelium. The mucosal inflammatory changes were slight, but severe intestinal adhesions were noted. The findings in the two groups were not significantly different at three and six weeks. Five rabbits died within three weeks of intestinal disorders caused by severe intestinal adhesions and/or perforations. The experimental data showed that implantation of metallic wire stents into the gastrointestinal tract resulted in severe damage to the esophagus and small intestine of rabbits.