Enteral Stents
What is Enteral Stents?
Enteral stents are stents deployed within the stomach, small bowel, and colon. Enteral stents are used to treat malignant obstructions in the stomach, small bowel, and colon.
Enteral Stents:
- Are used to treat malignant obstructions of the gastrointestinal tract
- Are usually placed during endoscopy
- Placement may require sedation
Gastrointestinal SEMS (self-expandable metal stents) are composed of a variety of metal alloys with varying shapes and sizes depending on the individual manufacturer and their placement.
The stent incorporates itself into the wall of the organ, allowing it to anchor itself and prevent migration to another part or the gastrointestinal tract. Incorporation may not fully occur with covered stents, leading to a higher rate of stent migration.
SEMS are usually placed under endoscopic guidance with the aid of fluoroscopy or by interventional radiologists using only fluoroscopic guidance. Endoscopic placement allows for more remote locations of the small intestine and colon to be accessed.
Enteral Stenting may be necessary for patients with colorectal cancer.
It is helpful in:
- Relieving symptoms of patients in advanced stages
- Providing a preoperative option for some patients
Your doctor may want you to undergo special preparation. If so, they will guide you through a cleansing routine.
Your cleansing routine may consist of:
- 1-2 enema
- A limited diet consisting of clear liquids
- Consuming a special cleansing solution
- Or laxatives
It’s important to follow your cleansing routine carefully.
Inform your doctor of:
- Any medication that you take regularly, especially;
- aspirin products
- arthritis medications
- blood thinners (such as Warfarin or Heparin)
- Clopidogrel
- Insulin
- Any known allergies to medication
- Any medical conditions that will require special attention, such as;
- diabetes
- heart conditions
- lung conditions
- any other major conditions
It’s important to follow all of your doctor’s instructions.
You’ll be asked to lay on your back or on your side.
You may be given:
- A sedative to help you relax
- A local anesthetic to numb your throat
- A mouth guard to wear and hold open your mouth
You might feel:
- Pressure in the throat and abdomen
- A feeling of fullness as air is fed into the GI tract
You’ll be monitored until most of the effects of your sedatives wear off, usually about an hour. You might feel some cramping or bloating due to excess air. This will subside after passing gas.
Your doctor may ask you to follow an altered diet. This is to allow foods to pass by the stents with ease. Your doctor will give you more information after determining where your stents will be placed.