A novel, ring-connected stent versus conventional GI stents: comparative study of physical properties and migration rates in a canine colon obstruction model

BackgroundMigration of stents is one of the most common adverse events in covered stent placement in GI tract obstruction.ObjectiveTo compare physical property and migration rates in a canine colon obstruction model among a novel stent and conventional stents.DesignComparative physical test and animal study.SettingMedical device testing laboratory and animal laboratory.SubjectsMongrel dogs (N = 26).InterventionsSurgical colon obstruction followed by placement of a novel (n = 13) or conventional (n = 13) stent.Main Outcome MeasurementsPhysical properties, migration, and adverse events.ResultsThe novel stent showed better flexibility, as in a physical test of longitudinal compressibility and axial force, than did conventional stents, and it withstood the fatigue test for 10 days. In terms of radial force and tensile strength, the novel stent showed the same or better results than conventional stents. In a canine colon obstruction model, the migration rate of a novel stent was significantly lower than that of a conventional stent (2/13, 15.4% vs 8/13, 61.5%; P = .008).LimitationsAnimal study of limited size.ConclusionThe novel, ring-connected stent is more flexible and more resistant to migration than the conventional stents.