How long does an esophageal stent stay in?

There is no single definitive answer for how long an esophageal stent stays in, as it depends on several factors:

- Type of stent - Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) may stay in for several months while plastic stents are typically only meant to stay in for weeks or months.

- Reason for stent - Stents placed for benign conditions like strictures may only need to stay in for weeks or months until the stricture heals. Stents for malignant conditions like esophageal cancer may stay in permanently.

- Stent migration - Stents can sometimes migrate out of position, requiring replacement. This may shorten the total time a stent remains in. 

- Stent complications - Issues like tissue ingrowth, stent fractures, or recurrent dysphagia may require early stent removal or replacement.

- Overall health and response to stenting - Those who respond well to the stent with improvement in swallowing may go longer periods before needing replacement. Poor health may lead to earlier replacement.

- Patient and physician preference - Some physicians opt for scheduled, periodic stent replacements even if the current stent is not problematic. 

In general, SEMS tend to remain anywhere from several months to over a year, while plastic stents are usually changed every 1-3 months. However, close follow-up is necessary to monitor stent issues and replace them when appropriate for each individual. The average stent duration can vary considerably on a case-by-case basis.