Treatment Options, Featuring the Placement of a Gastrointestinal Stent
Gastrointestinal stents are an innovative treatment option for patients experiencing blockages or narrowing within the digestive tract caused by conditions such as cancer, strictures, or leaks. These stents can restore patency and alleviate symptoms like pain and difficulty swallowing, significantly improving a patient's quality of life when curative surgery is not feasible or is considered too high-risk. Placement of Gastrointestinal Stents The placement of gastrointestinal stents is a minimally invasive procedure typically performed using flexible video endoscopes . During the procedure, a flexible video endoscope—a device equipped with a camera and light—enables healthcare providers to directly visualize the affected digestive segment. The stent, often self-expandable and metallic (SEMS), is carefully guided through the endoscope to the site of obstruction. Fluoroscopy, a real-time X-ray imaging technique, may assist in ensuring precise positioning of the stent. Once ...