A biodegradable stent was successfully inserted into the airway of a 23-year-old patient, in Brazil. Postoperative airway complications, including bronchial stenosis, are a problem in
2 to 18% of lung transplant cases. Standard treatment involves bronchoscopic dilatation, what is quite often accompanied by stent placement. Complications such as fistulas and inflammatory reactions were observed with the use of traditional metallic stents. These complications were minimized with the use of biodegradable stents.
The patient underwent bilateral lung transplantation. One month after the procedure, he underwent balloon dilatation due to persistent stenosis in the left bronchus. For the same reason, he subsequently underwent five additional endoscopic dilatation procedures. One of those procedures created a small laceration in the posterior wall of the bronchus. The physicians attempted to implant a silicone stent, but due to anatomical limitations the placement was not successful, and the stent was not implanted.
Therefore, a team of physicians decided to implant a biodegradable stent from ELLA-CS, which adapted to the patient’s anatomy and kept the stenosis fully open for a long time. After 2 months, the physicians performed endoscopic dilation and for the next 14 months the stenosis remained under control, with no recurrence. During the subsequent 16 months of follow-up, the patient was clinically stable and free of complications.
The use of this biodegradable stent in the treatment of benign bronchial stenosis is a safe and effective alternative to traditional non-degradable stents. After about 3-4 months, the stent degrades and the patient does not need to undergo another endoscopic procedure.