Novel Uses of Lumen-Apposing Metal Stents

The lumen apposing metal stent (LAMS) has historically been used for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections. The unique design of this stent has allowed endoscopists to develop novel uses, including drainage of abscesses adjacent to gastrointestinal lumens, maintaining patency in gastrointestinal strictures, and creating a fistulous tract to bypass altered or compromised anatomy. These alternative uses for the LAMS take advantage of its ability to form a sealed, well-approximated anastomosis. Future applications of the LAMS are continuously being developed as clinicians provide minimally invasive approaches for management of these disease processes.