![\"Freeman](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_SVR-NEC_301025-mccaslin.jpg\")
Freeman Hospital consultant surgeon James McCaslin(Image: NHS)<\/p>\nSurgeon 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)<\/p>\n
For the first time in Europe, a patient has been fitted with a novel “dissolvable” treatment for a dangerous health <\/a>condition – and the treatment will disappear completely. Stephen Laurie, 60 and from Cramlington<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t heal and, in some cases, as previously reported by ChronicleLive, limb amputation.<\/a> The usual treatment is angioplasty- which sees balloons inserted into the arteries and then inflated.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Stephen underwent the procedure at the Freeman Hospital at the hands of surgeon James McCaslin. He said: “I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe procedure was really quick and I was back on my feet within hours, out and about. I\u2019ve now got no pain in my leg and am hoping to go back to work a week after the treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 a condition which often threatens the life of the lower leg.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is inserted through a small hole in the groin \u2013 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.<\/p>\n \u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Jonathan Wood, regional director for the manufacturers of the new stent – Abbott Vascular North Europe – said: “We\u2019re proud to bring this device \u2013 known as Esprit BTK – to patients in the UK. It\u2019s a breakthrough that combines structural support, targeted drug therapy, and fully dissolves \u2013 leaving nothing behind.<\/p>\n \u201cWith 9 in 10 patients now avoiding repeat procedures, it\u2019s a powerful step forward in vascular innovation, helping people live healthier, fuller lives.”<\/p>\n Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here<\/strong><\/a>. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.<\/strong><\/p>\n