Effectiveness of a Novel Covered Stent without External Thread Fixation for Anastomotic Leakage after Total or Proximal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

• Main Authors: Young-Il Kim, Chan Gyoo Kim, Jong Yeul Lee, Il Ju Choi, Bang Wool Eom, Hong Man Yoon, Keun Won Ryu, Young-Woo Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Cancers
• Subjects: Beta stent; anastomotic leakage; gastrectomy; gastric cancer
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/13/15/3720

A thread-fix stent entails long hospitalization and patient discomfort. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel stent with silicone-covered outer double layers without external fixation (Beta stent) for anastomotic leakage after total or proximal gastrectomy. The outcomes were compared between gastric cancer patients who underwent stent placement using a thread-fix stent between 2014 and 2015 (Thread-Fix Group) and those who received a Beta stent in the succeeding period until October 2018 (Beta Stent Group). The Beta Stent Group (<i>n</i> = 14) had a significantly higher leakage healing rate by the first stent placement (92.9% vs. 53.8%; <i>p</i> = 0.021) and had a shorter hospitalization period (median: 16 days vs. 28 days; <i>p</i> = 0.037) than the Thread-Fix Group (<i>n</i> = 13). Further, 50% of the Beta stent patients received outpatient management until stent removal. Stent maintenance duration was significantly longer in the Beta Stent Group (median, 28 days vs. 18 days; <i>p</i> = 0.006). There was no significant between-group difference in stent-related complications except for stent migration (7.1% (Beta Stent Group) vs. 0% (Thread-Fix Group), <i>p</i> = 0.326). In conclusion, the Niti-S Beta stent is an effective treatment for anastomotic leakage from total or proximal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Stent maintenance is possible without hospitalization.