What is gastrointestinal stent?

A gastrointestinal stent is a small, mesh-like tube that is inserted in the gastrointestinal tract to open blocked or narrowed passages. Some common uses of gastrointestinal stents include:

- Esophageal stents - Placed in the esophagus to open strictures or blockages that can occur from cancer, scarring, or other conditions. This allows food and liquids to pass normally.

- Pyloric stents are placed in the pyloric canal between the stomach and small intestine to relieve obstruction from enlarged prostate, ulcers, or tumors. Allows contents to empty from the stomach.

- Duodenal stents - Used to open blockages in the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) that may be caused by cancer or scarring from chronic pancreatitis. 

- Colonic stents - Used to open passages narrowed by cancer, diverticulitis, or inflammatory strictures in the colon. Prevents obstruction.

- Biliary stents - Placed in bile ducts that have become narrowed or blocked by gallstones, cancer, or compression from surrounding structures. Allows bile drainage.

- Pancreatic stents - Used to open pancreatic duct blockages caused by strictures, stones or tumors. Restores drainage of pancreatic enzymes. 

Gastrointestinal stents provide a minimally invasive option to relieve obstruction and improve the passage of contents through the GI system without major surgery. They are inserted endoscopically and typically made from metal alloys or plastic.