Surgeon James McCaslin, operating on Cramlington man Stephen Laurie, became the first in Europe to fit a stent that will help treat a dangerous condition before vanishing completely.
Freeman Hospital consultant surgeon James McCaslin(Image: NHS)
For the first time in Europe, a patient has been fitted with a novel “dissolvable” treatment for a dangerous health condition – and the treatment will disappear completely. Stephen Laurie, 60 and from Cramlington is the first in Europe to have a “dissolvable stent” fitted that helps treat peripheral artery disease – which can kill or cause a patient to lose a limb.
The illness sees arteries become blocked. That can then see blood flow and oxygen stopped from reaching lower legs and feet – and as a result there can be severe pain, wounds that won’t heal and, in some cases, as previously reported by ChronicleLive, limb amputation. The usual treatment is angioplasty- which sees balloons inserted into the arteries and then inflated.
However now an option is to inset a new kind of dissolvable stent which acts as “scaffolding” to keep an artery unblocked and can also deliver drugs to support healing and recovery. The drug dissolves – and leaves no trace in the body.
Stephen underwent the procedure at the Freeman Hospital at the hands of surgeon James McCaslin. He said: “I’ve had problems over a number of years and some previous treatment to try and improve my health, including a heart bypass. This time, my consultant suggested using this new stent, to tackle some of the ongoing problems in my lower leg.
“The procedure was really quick and I was back on my feet within hours, out and about. I’ve now got no pain in my leg and am hoping to go back to work a week after the treatment.”
Mr McCaslin, the consultant surgeon who carried out the procedure, said: “This stent, which is made from the same material as dissolvable stitches, provides a fantastic option to treat artery disease below the knee – a condition which often threatens the life of the lower leg.
“It is inserted through a small hole in the groin – commonly known as keyhole surgery – and is designed in a way to prevent re-blockage of the artery, hopefully reducing the need for additional procedures and the risk of long-term complications such as amputation.
“A dissolvable stent has additional benefits over a normal stent because it means nothing is left behind to get in the way of any further procedures if needed.”
Jonathan Wood, regional director for the manufacturers of the new stent – Abbott Vascular North Europe – said: “We’re proud to bring this device – known as Esprit BTK – to patients in the UK. It’s a breakthrough that combines structural support, targeted drug therapy, and fully dissolves – leaving nothing behind.
“With 9 in 10 patients now avoiding repeat procedures, it’s a powerful step forward in vascular innovation, helping people live healthier, fuller lives.”
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