What happens during an esophageal stent procedure?

Your healthcare provider can let you know what to expect. The details of your procedure may differ somewhat. It will usually take around an hour. In general, you can expect the following:

If you are having conscious sedation, medicine will be given through an IV to make you feel sleepy and relaxed during the procedure. You may also have a numbing medicine put on the back of your throat. You may not remember the procedure afterward.

If you are having general anesthesia, medicine will be given through an IV to make you sleep deeply and painlessly.

During the procedure, your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs will be carefully watched. If needed, you might get extra oxygen. Your healthcare provider may use continuous X-ray images to view the procedure. In other cases, he or she might use a long, thin device with a small camera (endoscope).

The healthcare provider will slowly put a catheter through your mouth and into your esophagus.

The provider will move the folded-up esophageal stent over the catheter to the blockage site. The stent is often made of metal or plastic. It will then open up against the wall of the esophagus.

After the procedure has been completed, the provider will remove the catheter from your esophagus. The stent will stay in place.