Biliary stents for active materials and surface modification: Recent advances and future perspectives.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Device Engineering

Background:

• Biliary disease incidence is rising, increasing demand for effective biliary stent treatments.
• Current plastic and metal stents for biliary strictures are nondegradable, often leading to restenosis and requiring removal or replacement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the advantages and limitations of current nondegradable biliary stents.
• To highlight advancements in biodegradable stents, functional coatings, tissue engineering, and 3D-printed stents.
• To discuss future perspectives in biliary stent technology.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of nondegradable biliary stents.
• Analysis of biodegradable polymer and metal stents.
• Exploration of functional coatings, tissue engineering, and 3D printing applications.
• Discussion of future trends like 4D bioprinting and shape memory stents.

Main Results:

• Nondegradable stents have limitations including restenosis and the need for removal.
• Biodegradable stents and functional coatings offer potential solutions to overcome current limitations.
• Tissue engineering and 3D-printed stents represent emerging innovative approaches.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable materials, advanced coatings, and novel manufacturing techniques like 3D printing are crucial for developing next-generation biliary stents.
• Future research directions focus on enhancing stent functionality, degradability, and integration with biological tissues for improved patient outcomes in biliary stricture management.