Biodegradable Stents for the Treatment of Refractory Benign Esophageal Strictures: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Refractory benign esophageal strictures (RBES) pose significant clinical challenges. Biodegradable (BD) stents have emerged as alternatives to traditional stenting methods, offering the possibility of reducing the need for multiple procedures. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BD stents in the treatment of RBES. Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Science Direct databases were searched according to the PRISMA statement. Studies that focused on the clinical outcomes of BD stents used in adult patients with RBES were included. Data on technical success and complication rates were analyzed using random-effects models. Efficacy data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The review included 15 studies with 241 BD stent implantations. The technical success rates were consistently high in all studies. The median time to restenosis was 21 weeks, with survival rates of 38.4% at 26 weeks and 27.0% at 52 weeks. The rate of complications requiring intervention was relatively low, but significant hyperplasia and pain occurred in 16.4% and 8.8% of the cases, respectively. Significant heterogeneity was observed in hyperplasia-related outcomes, which required a detailed subgroup analysis to investigate the underlying causes. Conclusion: BD stents provide acceptable results in terms of efficacy and safety for the treatment of RBES. However, the evidence is limited owing to the lack of randomized controlled trials and comparative studies. Future research should focus on these areas to strengthen the clinical evidence regarding BD stents.