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Published on: April 17, 2020
Endoscopic treatment of Crohn-related strictures with a self-expandable stent compared with balloon dilation: a
Per Hedenström1,2, Per-Ove Stotzer3,2
1Intitute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden per.hedenstrom@gu.se.
Objective:
Fibrotic strictures in the gastrointestinal tract are frequent in Crohn's disease. Endoscopic dilation is a standard treatment. However, recurrence is common after dilation and there are complications such as bleeding or perforation. Endoscopic treatment using self-expandable metal stents has shown diverging results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic treatment with a self-expandable stent in ileocecal Crohn's disease.
Design/Method:
Patients with Crohn's disease and a symptomatic ileocecal stricture were eligible for prospective, consecutive inclusion in a single-centre setting. Patients were randomised to treatment with either 18 mm balloon dilatation (GroupDIL) or stenting (GroupSTENT) using a 20 mm diameter, partially covered Hanarostent NCN. Patients were followed for a minimum of 24 months postendoscopy. Outcomes were technical success, adverse events and clinical success (defined as no need for repeated interventions).
Results:
Thirteen patients (GroupDIL n=6; GroupSTENT=7) were included with twelve patients (GroupDIL n=5; GroupSTENT=7) being eligible for complete follow-up. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Adverse events were border-line significantly more common in the GroupSTENT: 4/7 (57%) (pain: n=3; pain and rectal bleeding: n=1) compared with the GroupDIL: 0/5 (0%), p=0.08, which resulted in preterm termination of the study. The clinical success rate was GroupSTENT: 6/7 (86%) vs GroupDIL: 1/5 (20%), p=0.07.
Conclusion:
Patients with strictures related to Crohn's disease may benefit from treatment with self-expandable metal stents rather than dilatation. However, there seems to be an increased risk for patient pain after stenting, which has to be considered and handled.
Trail Registration Number:
The study was registered at Clinical Trials (NCT04718493).
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