Esophageal Stent Placement

Esophageal stents are placed for several reasons: extrinsic compression from tumors, intrinsic obstruction from esophageal tumors, esophageal strictures, and tracheoesophageal fistulas. The esophageal stents are either silicone or metal with the metal stents coated or uncoated. Silicone stents can be removed later after placement while the metal stents are usually left in place. The stents are placed in the esophagus through an esophagoscope and the procedure usually is short and the patient can be discharged the following day.