Luminal and Extraluminal Applications of Endoscopic Stenting: A Bright Future for Gastroenterology.

Abstract

In recent years, considerable strides have been made in therapeutic endoscopy and specifically in stent technology to overcome strictures and fistulas. As such, several types of devices with advanced designs and materials are continuously being developed, and this evolution has helped expand the applications of therapeutic endoscopy to new horizons. The best example of this is the use of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) in therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), allowing for the endoscopic treatment of pancreaticobiliary and luminal disease previously reserved for surgical or percutaneous treatment. Thinking outside the box and using new devices to seal fistulas that cannot be managed with conventional endoscopic devices is also sometimes needed. While exciting, this continuing evolution and the growing number of therapeutic endoscopy applications may present a challenge for gastroenterologists to keep updated with the state of the art. This special issue ofGE – Portuguese Journal of Gastroenterology is dedicated to therapeutic endoscopy including 8 articles that provide further evidence of the safety, feasibility, and favorable outcomes of different applications of stents and similar devices in endoscopic therapeutic procedures, in particular the application of stents in therapeutic ultrasound endoscopy, luminal stenting, and treatment of leaks, perforations, and fistulas. The review articles also include several technical tips and tricks from experts that can clearly be helpful to the majority of endoscopists. Canakis and Baron [1] performed a review article focused on current indications and innovations in therapeutic EUS. The therapeutic role of EUS has evolved to become a complementary technique to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to provide adequate drainage in patients with pancreatic and biliary