Why would you put a stent in the bowel?

There are a few reasons why a stent may be placed in the bowel:

- To treat bowel obstruction - A stent can be used to open up a blocked or narrowed section of the bowel, allowing contents to pass through again. This is often done instead of surgery in patients too ill or frail for a major operation.

- To treat fistulas - A stent can be used to seal off an abnormal connection (fistula) that has formed between two parts of the bowel, or between the bowel and another organ like the bladder.

- After bowel surgery - A stent may be placed to help a surgical anastomosis or join in the bowel heal. This helps prevent leakage from the surgery site.

- With colon cancer - A stent may be placed through an obstructing colon cancer to keep the bowel open. This is usually done if the tumor is not able to be removed surgically.

- To seal bowel perforations - A stent graft can be used to seal holes or tears in the bowel wall and prevent bowel contents from leaking into the abdominal cavity. 

So in summary, bowel stents are mainly used to relieve obstructions, seal abnormal connections or tears, and assist in healing after bowel surgery. The type and location of the stent depend on the specific condition being treated.