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CC BY 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2026; 14: a27778929
DOI: 10.1055/a-2777-8929
Original article

Safety and efficacy of fully-covered self-expandable metal stent placement for refractory stomal stenosis

Authors

  • Ahamed A. Khalyfa 

    1   Gastroenterology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN21710)

  • Navkiran K. Randhawa

    2   Gastroenterology, Augusta University, Augusta, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN1421)

  • Rahil Desai 

    3   IM, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, Olympia Fields, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN6203)

  • Mahnoor Inam

    4   Gastroenterology, Southwest Gastroenterology, New Lenox, United States

  • Varshita Goduguchinta

    5   Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, Olympia Fields, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN6203)

  • Kamran Ayub

    6   Gastroenterology, Silver Cross Hospital, New Lenox, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN21431)
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Abstract

Background and study aims

Stomas, critical in managing various gastrointestinal conditions, can lead to complications like stomal stenosis, affecting 2% to 15% of patients and causing significant morbidity. Traditional treatments such as balloon dilation and surgical revisions often fail to provide lasting relief. This study investigated a novel, minimally invasive approach using fully-covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMSs) to address refractory stomal stenosis effectively.

Patients and methods

Five patients with recurrent stomal strictures unresponsive to conventional treatments underwent stent placement. Etiologies included Crohn’s disease, ischemia, and post-surgical fibrosis. Stents were selected based on stricture characteristics, ranging from 10 to 16 mm in diameter and 6 to 10 cm in length. Technical success was defined as successful deployment without immediate complication; clinical success was defined as sustained symptom resolution during follow-up. Outcome measures included abdominal girth, pain reduction (visual analog scale), vomiting, and dietary tolerance. Follow-up periods ranged from 8 weeks to 6 months.

Results

All procedures were technically successful. Mean abdominal girth decreased from 114 ± 4.2 cm (range 108–119) to 103 ± 3.7 cm (range 99–108). Pain scores decreased from a mean of 8 ± 1.1 to 2 ± 1.2. Vomiting, bloating, and dietary tolerance improved in most patients. No stent migration or erosions/ulcer was observed during follow-up. Four patients had follow-up to 6 months without restenosis. One patient had restenosis with successful re-stenting within a 6-month follow-up period.

Conclusions

FCSEMSs represent a safe and effective minimally invasive alternative for refractory stomal stenosis, with promising short-term outcomes.

Keywords

Endoscopy Upper GI Tract - Malignant strictures - Endoscopy Lower GI Tract - Colorectal cancer - Inflammatory bowel disease - Stenting


Publication History

Received: 24 December 2024

Accepted after revision: 17 November 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
22 December 2025

Article published online:
27 January 2026

© 2026. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Bibliographical Record
Ahamed A. Khalyfa, Navkiran K. Randhawa, Rahil Desai, Mahnoor Inam, Varshita Goduguchinta, Kamran Ayub. Safety and efficacy of fully-covered self-expandable metal stent placement for refractory stomal stenosis. Endosc Int Open 2026; 14: a27778929.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2777-8929
 

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