Oesophageal stent insertion

The oesophagus (gullet) is a hollow, muscular tube which takes food from the mouth down to the stomach. If it becomes blocked by a tumour or narrowed following radiotherapy (stricture) this causes a problem with swallowing. One way of overcoming this problem is by inserting a stent. Food can then pass down the oesophagus more easily.

The doctors in charge of your case will have carried out some tests such as a CT Scan, endoscopy or a barium swallow test to determine the cause of the blockage and have decided this is the best treatment for you.

A specialist doctor called an Interventional Radiologist. Interventional radiologists have special expertise in using X-ray equipment and in imaging procedures.

In the imaging department, in a special Interventional Radiology (IR) Procedure Room which is designed for these specialised procedures. You will be checked into the department by a nurse, who will ask some medical questions and fill out some paperwork. The interventional radiologist will then talk to you about the procedure, where you will have the opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns. Only if you are happy to continue with the procedure will you be asked to sign the consent form.

You will lie on the x-ray bed, on your back or your side.

• You will have a needle put into the vein in your arm for sedation and pain relief and you will have some local anaesthetic spray to numb your throat. You will have a mouth guard in to keep your mouth open for the procedure.
• A fine catheter (tube) will then be passed down the oesophagus and through the blockage. The radiologist will inject x-ray dye to assess where the stent needs to be placed.
• The catheter will be withdrawn and a stent placed into your oesophagus. You may gag slightly during the procedure; this is quite normal and will not interfere with your breathing.

To prepare for the procedure you will need to make sure you do the following:

You will need to have a blood test before your procedure. Please let us know if you are taking any antiplatelet medicines (for example, Aspirin, Clopidogrel) or any medicines that thin the blood (for example, Warfarin), as these may need to be withheld temporarily before the procedure. Call the IR department for advice as soon as you get your appointment letter on 01273 696955 Extension. 64240/64278 and ask to speak to one of the IR nursing team. You cannot eat or drink anything (except water) for four hours before your procedure.

You can drink water up to two hours before your procedure.

You will need a responsible adult to take you home if you are going to be a day case procedure.

You may be admitted to a ward for an overnight stay following the procedure, depending on certain factors which we will discuss with you prior to your appointment.

It may hurt a little until the stent fully expands, but in the majority of cases the discomfort resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Any pain you may experience should be reported straight away to your nurse and then pain killers can be given to help control this.