Expandable esophageal metallic stents coating with silicone rubber: an experimental study in rabbits

To determine the effect of the expandable esophageal metallic stents on the esophagus, we constructed anexpandable metallic stent. It was stainless steel wire formed in a zig-zag pattern in fully expanded diameter.Twenty stents were introduced in the normal esophagus through a 8,5 French-teflon sheath in 10 rabbits for 1 weekto 12 weeks. Three out of the 20 stents migrated slightly. At 1 week after the placement of the stent, the mucosapartly revealed pressure necrosis and some regeneration, the muscle layer below the stent wires found compressedand thinned. At 8 weeks, the mucosa showed completer regeneration, and the stent wires were found covered byfibrous tissue.