A Comparison of a Fully Covered and an Uncovered Segmented Biodegradable Esophageal Stent in a Porcine Model: Preclinical Evaluation of Degradation, Complications, and Tissue Reactions

Figure 5

Endoscopic view of tissue reactions caused by a fully covered biodegradable stent. ((a) and (b)) Weeks 1 and 2: circumferential inflammation and nodular hyperplasia. ((c)–(e)) Weeks 3–5: significant tissue reactions at contact points between the stents and the esophageal mucosa, with confluent nodules. ((f)–(j)) Weeks 6–10: confined tissue reactions, inflammation, and confluent nodular tissues. (k) and (l) Weeks 11-12: normal esophagus mucosa. TRS scores for weeks 1–12 were 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 0, and 0 for this case.

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