Bioresorbable biliary stents: A step forward

Abstract

The case report by Elsayed et al presented a multidisciplinary approach to treating recurrent biliary strictures following proximal bile duct injury. Bioresorbable biliary stents, an innovative option for managing biliary strictures in recent years, are a key part of this approach. Unlike traditional metal/plastic stents, bioresorbable stents made from materials like polylactic acid (PLA) or polycaprolactone gradually degrade in the body. This eliminates the need for endoscopic removal, reducing patient trauma and costs. Nondegradable stents often lead to complications such as restenosis, migration, or infection. In contrast, bioresorbable stents can have their degradation rate tailored to the bile duct healing process (e.g., PLA stents remained unobstructed for 25.7 weeks in a porcine model), minimizing long-term complications. We analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of bioresorbable stents, outlined future research directions, and aimed to offer valuable insights for clinical practice.

Keywords: Benign biliary stricture; Biliary injury; Biliary stent; Biliary stricture; Biodegradable.

Figure 1

Keyword analysis based on VOSviewer. A: Biliary Stent Clustering Diagram; B: Timeline of Biliary Stent Development. The statistical density (quantity) of high-frequency keywords represents research hotspots. In the map, the size of the nodes indicates the number of occurrences—the larger the node, the greater the total number of times the keyword or topic appears. The thickness of the connecting lines between nodes represents the degree of association between each keyword or topic.