Management of a Benign Oesophageal Stricture in a Dog using a Biodegradable Self- Expanding Stent

Abstract

Summary A three-year-old female neutered Staffordshire bull terrier presented with a progressive two week history of regurgitation following surgery for septic peritonitis. Oesophagoscopy revealed a narrow stricture in the mid-oesophagus. Stricture reformation occurred following repeated endoscopic and fluoroscopic guided balloon dilations, with the addition of intralesional triamcinolone, on eleven occasions. Following the twelfth balloon dilation, a tubular self-expanding biodegradable polydioxanone stent was placed across the stricture under fluoroscopic guidance and sutured to the oesophageal wall. Initially, the dog made a good recovery, however seven days later, signs of regurgitation returned associated with marked oesophagitis. Regurgitation resolved over the next two weeks following intralesional triamcinolone injections and oral prednisolone, ranitidine, omeprazole and sucralfate. Fluoroscopy four months after placement revealed the stent was no longer present and there was no evidence of stricture. Oesophageal motility was subjectively delayed in this area. The dog was tolerating a soft food diet without regurgitation.