Biodegradable
polydioxanone stents were developed for the treatment of refractory benign esophageal
strictures but have been suggested as a new therapeutic option for intestinal
strictures. The primary advantage of biodegradable
stents over
self-expandable metallic stents is that removal is not required. There are, however, few data available on their use in the small or large bowel. We herein describe the case of a 33-year-old patient with long-standing
Crohn's disease (CD) who developed a fibrotic
stricture of the sigmoid too long to be amenable to balloon dilation. The use of a biodegradable
polydioxanone stent was chosen to avoid surgery. Combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic placement of the
stent was technically simple, safe and clinically successful, and no recurrence of obstructive symptoms occurred during a 16-mo follow-up. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of biodegradable
stents in the treatment of intestinal
strictures, particularly in the context of CD.