Oesophageal Stent Insertion
Date issued: November 2024
For review: November 2026
Ref: B-295/RA/Oesophageal Stent Insertion v2
PDF: Oesophageal Stent Insertion.pdf [pdf] 197KB
This leaflet tells you about having an oesophageal stent insertion. It explains what is involved and what the possible risks are. It is not meant to replace informed discussion between you and your doctor but can act as a starting point for such discussions. If you have any questions about the procedure, please ask the doctor who has referred you or the department which is going to perform it.
Referral and consent
The referring clinician should have discussed the reasons for this examination with you in the clinic and you should make sure that you understand these before attending. You will be referred to an Interventional Radiologist for this procedure. Interventional Radiologists are doctors who have trained and specialised in imaging and x-ray treatments.
Before the procedure you will need to sign a consent form, if one hasn’t been previously completed. This is a legal requirement and ensures that you are fully informed about your procedure.
If after discussion with your hospital doctor or Interventional Radiologist, you do not want this examination then you can decide against it. If the Radiologist feels that your condition has changed or that your symptoms do not indicate such a procedure is necessary, then he/she will explain this to you and communicate with the referring clinician. You will return to your referring clinician for review.
At all times the radiologist and referring clinician will be acting in your best interests.
What is an oesophageal stent?
The oesophagus, or gullet, is a hollow muscular tube, which takes food from the mouth down to the stomach. If it becomes narrowed or blocked, then there will be a problem with swallowing. One way of overcoming this problem is by inserting a metal mesh tube called an oesophageal stent. Food can then pass down the gullet through this stent, and this should make swallowing easier.
Why do you need a stent?
Other imaging you have had done has shown that your oesophagus has become narrowed or blocked. Your doctor will have discussed with you the likeliest cause of the blockage and the possible treatments. It is likely that an operation is not possible and that a stent insertion is considered the best treatment option for you.
Are there any risks?
Oesophageal stent insertion is a very safe procedure, but as with any medical procedure there are some risks and complications that can arise.
It is possible that a little bleeding occurs during the procedure, but this generally stops without the need for any action.
It is not unusual to feel mild-to-moderate chest pain while the stent ‘beds in’, but this normally settles in a day or two.
Some patients get heartburn afterwards and need to take medicine for this.
Very rarely, the stent may migrate out of position or block, and it is necessary to repeat the procedure.
It may not be possible to place the stent in the correct place and this will be discussed with you once the procedure is finished.
Damage can occur in the oesophagus causing a tear or hole (perforation). This is very rare (<1%).
There can be damage to teeth or bridgework, please tell us if you have any loose teeth.
Despite these possible complications, the procedure is normally very safe and will almost certainly result in a great improvement in your medical condition.
If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant you should notify the department. A baby in the womb may be more sensitive to radiation than an adult. There is no problem with something like an x-ray of the hand or chest because the radiation field is at a safe distance from the foetus. However, special precautions are required for examinations where the womb is in, or near, the beam of radiation. If you are a female of childbearing age the radiographer will ask you if there is any chance of you being pregnant before the examination begins and you will be asked to sign a form. If there is a possibility of pregnancy, then your case will be discussed with the team looking after you to decide whether or not to recommend postponing the investigation.
There will be occasions when diagnosing and treating your illness is essential for your health and where the benefit clearly outweighs the small radiation risks. The procedure may go ahead after discussing all the options with you.
Are you required to make any special preparations?
Oesophageal stent insertion is usually carried out as a day case procedure under local anaesthetic and sedation.
If you have a morning appointment, you will be asked to have nothing to eat from midnight although you may still drink water up to 6am then sips of water for the 2 hours before your examination.
If you have an afternoon appointment you may eat normally up to 6am and then water only up to 10am with sips of water for the 2 hours before your examination.
If you are taking warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban, ticagrelor (anticoagulants) this will be stopped before the procedure and you may require admission to hospital to give you an alternative.
If you have any allergies or have previously had a reaction to the dye (contrast agent), you must tell the radiology staff before you have the test.
Who will you see?
A specially trained team led by an Interventional Radiologist within the radiology department. Interventional Radiologists have special expertise in reading the images and using imaging to guide catheters and wires to aid diagnosis and treatment.
Where will the procedure take place?
If you are having the procedure as a day case, then you will attend PIU/Postbridge ward prior. You will be asked to get undressed and put on a hospital gown. A small cannula (thin tube) will be placed into a vein in your arm.
Our porters will collect you and bring you to the interventional radiology suite which is located within
X-ray East. This is similar to an operating theatre into which specialised X-ray equipment has been installed.
What happens during an oesophageal stent insertion?
The procedure is performed using local anaesthetic and often sedation.
You will lie on the X-ray table, generally on your side. You may have monitoring devices attached to your chest and finger and may be given oxygen.
The Interventional Radiologist will spray the back of your throat with local anaesthetic to make the procedure more manageable for you. A fine tube is passed through your mouth, down the gullet, and through the blockage. The stent is passed over a guide wire, placed through the fine tube, into the correct position across the blockage. The guide wire is then withdrawn.
Will it hurt?
Some discomfort may be felt in your throat, but this should not be too sore. You may feel the tube at the back of your throat which may make you retch.
How long will it take?
Every patient is different, and it is not always easy to predict; however, expect to be in the radiology department for about an hour.
What happens afterwards?
You will be taken back to your ward on a trolley. Nurses on the ward will carry out routine observations, such as taking your pulse and blood pressure, to make sure that there are no problems. You will generally stay in bed for a few hours, until you have recovered and are ready to go home. You will need someone to drive you home and ensure that an able-bodied person remains with you until morning.
Other Risks
Oesophageal stent insertion is a very safe procedure but as with any procedure or operation complications are possible. We have included the most common risks and complications in this leaflet.
We are all exposed to natural background radiation every day of our lives. This comes from the sun, food we eat, and the ground. Each examination gives a dose on top of this natural background radiation.
Any exposure to ionising radiation (e.g. X-rays) has the potential to cause cancer later in life. This is much lower than the risk we all have of developing cancer in our life of ~1 in 3 and will be considered by the doctor before your procedure.
For information about the effects of X-rays read the publication: “X-rays how safe are they” on the Health Protection Agency
Finally
Some of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion about your treatment with the doctors looking after you. Make sure you are satisfied that you have received enough information about the procedure.
Contact
Interventional Radiology Department
01752 432063 – Bookings Clerk
01752 430838 – IR Co-ordinator
Additional Information
Bus services:
There are regular bus services to Derriford Hospital. Please contact:
Car parking:
Hospital car parking is available to all patients and visitors. Spaces are limited so please allow plenty of time to locate a car parking space. A charge is payable.
Park and Ride:
Buses (1/1A/42C/34) run from the George Junction Park and Ride Mon-Sat (except Bank Holidays) every 15/20 mins from 6am. The last bus leaves the hospital at 11:30pm.
Plympton Park and Ride (52) runs from Coypool Park and Ride.
Parking is free although you will need to purchase a ticket to travel on the bus.
Patient Transport:
For patients unable to use private or public transport please contact The Patient Transport Service:
Devon GP: 0345 155 1009
Cornwall GP: 01872 252211
Comments and Suggestions
We welcome comments and suggestions to help us improve our service.
