3D-printed “fistula stent” designed for management of enterocutaneous fistula: An advanced strategy

Figure 1 Fabrication and implantation of 3D-printed fistula stent. A and B: 3D-reconstructed fistulography of the ECF: the diameters of the proximal and distal GI tract were 15 mm and 12 mm, respectively, bar = 1 mm (red arrow: ECF); C: Flexibility of fistula stent made of TPU, bar = 15 mm; D: Shape memory of the fistula stent after application of an external force, bar = 15 mm; E and G: The process of the fistula stent implantation. ECF: Enterocutaneous fistula.

Figure 2 3D printing technique. A: Schematic diagram of the 3D printing technique; B: 3D-printed models: Column, semi-column and tortuous semi-column, bar = 1 cm.

Figure 3 Follow-up after stent implantation. A: Image of small intestine after barium meal, indicating no obstruction; B: Image of colon after barium meal, indicating that contrast passed through the stent smoothly (red arrow: fistula stent); C: Loss of enteric effluent and the time of exercise tolerance before and after stent implantation. ^aTime point of stent insertion; ^bTime point of starting EN; ^cTime point of skin transplantation; D and E: 3D-reconstructed images after barium meal, indicating no abnormity after starting EN; G: Skin transplantation for abdominal wall reconstruction (red arrow: skin graft). EN: Enteral nutrition.