Tziatzios, GeorgiosGkolfakis, ParaskevasSiersema, Peter D.Triantafyllou, KonstantinosPapanikolaou, Ioannis S.This review attempts to present the available evidence regarding the use of biodegradable stents in refractory benign esophageal strictures, especially highlighting their impact on clinical success and complications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, using the terms “biodegradable” and “benign”; evidence from cohort and comparative studies, as well as data from one pooled analysis and one meta-analysis are presented. In summary, the results from these studies indicate that the effectiveness of biodegradable stents ranges from more than one third to a quarter of cases, fairly similar to other types of stents used for the same indication. However, their implementation may reduce the need for re-intervention during follow up. Biodegradable stents also seem to reduce the need for additional types of endoscopic therapeutic modalities, mostly balloon or bougie dilations. Results from pooled data are consistent, showing moderate efficacy along with a higher complication rate. Nonetheless, the validity of these results is questionable, given the heterogeneity of the studies included. Finally, adverse events may occur at a higher rate but are most often minor. The lack of high-quality studies with sufficient patient numbers mandates further studies, preferably randomized, to elucidate the exact role of biodegradable stents in the treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures. Keywords Biodegradable stent, benign esophageal stenosis Ann Gastroenterol 2020; 33 (4): 330-337text/htmlapplication/pdfhttp://www.annalsgastro.gr/index.php/annalsgastro/article/view/5014engHellenic Society of GastroenterologyCopyright (c) 2020 Annals of Gastroenterology1792-74631108-7471Annals of Gastroenterology; Volume 33, No 4 (2020); 330Biodegradable esophageal stents for the treatment of refractory benign esophageal stricturesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion2020-07-03Δημοσίευση σε περιοδικόPublication in journalΓαστροεντερολογίαGastroenterologyisi -Gastroenterology & Hepatology covers resources on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pathology of the digestive system. This category includes specific resources on the prognosis and treatment of digestive diseases; stomach ulcers; metabolic, genetic, infectious and chemically induced diseases of the liver; colitis; diseases of the pancreas and diseases of the rectum.Επιστημονικό άρθροScientific articleΕλληνική Γαστροεντερολογική ΕταιρίαGreek Aggregator OpenArchives.gr | National Documentation Centre (EKT)other