Boston Scientific reports positive data from stent removability study

Boston Scientific has announced the publication of a new study that expands the body of clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of its Fully Covered WallFlex Biliary RX Stent.

Appearing in the medical journal Gastroenterology, the multinational study on stent removability and preliminary long term stricture resolution of benign biliary strictures was conducted in 11 countries and five continents.

It was found that the WallFlex Biliary RX Stents were successfully removed by endoscopy from all 155 patients in whom this procedure was attempted, with stricture resolution achieved without the need to restent in approximately 75 percent of patients.

Around 85 percent of these patients remained stricture-free after a mean follow-up of 20 months, reducing the need for multiple sequential endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) stent exchanges and the associated complications and costs.

David Pierce, president for endoscopy at Boston Scientific, said: "The results of this study reinforce that fully covered self-expanding metal stent placement has the potential to reduce the number of ERCP procedures required in the management of benign strictures."

This comes after the firm announced last month that it will be allying with Asahi Intecc to develop a number of new medical technologies.