Endoscopic stenting of refractory benign esophageal strictures (review)

Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of benign esophageal strictures, although long-term, but effectively stop with the help of endoscopic recanalization, 10% of them recur. Such strictures are a major problem in thoracic surgery. Disabled surgical methods of treatment are associated with a sufficiently high mortality rate and do not guarantee the formation of new anastomotic strictures. Esophageal stenting against the background of a limited endoscopic arsenal of methods for recanalization of benign strictures is the last option. A lot of different models of esophageal stents with their own individual characteristics and features have appeared since the introduction of the first stents in clinical practice. All were investigated in an attempt to identify the optimal stent type and design for the treatment of refractory benign strictures. The review is devoted to the current state of stenting in recurrent benign esophageal stenosis. The review reflects the efficacy and disadvantages of various types of stents and their comparison with a focus on new biodegradable stents used in the treatment of benign esophageal strictures.