How long can you live with a stent in your esophagus?

The mean life expectancy was 147 days (range 8–1028 days) following the first stent deployment and 273 days (range 1–928 days) from diagnostic endoscopy. The 30-day mortality was 10%.

Is esophageal stricture life threatening?

Most symptomatic strictures require dilation to fix the problem. Many patients need more than one dilation over time to keep the esophagus wide enough for food to pass through. In rare cases, severe and untreated esophageal strictures can cause perforations (small rips), which can be life-threatening.

Do esophageal stents have to be removed?

In benign stric- tures, the use of the stent is usually limited to temporary placement; the stent should be electively removed after it is no longer needed [9–13]. Therefore, clinical situations are frequently encountered in which placed stents should be removed.

How do you get rid of an esophageal stricture?

Treating benign esophageal stricture

1. Esophageal dilation. Esophageal dilation, or stretching, is the preferred option in most cases.
2. Esophageal stent placement. The insertion of esophageal stents can provide relief from esophageal stricture.
3. Diet & lifestyle.
4. Medication.
5. Surgery.

What are the side effects of an esophageal stent?

What are the risks of an esophageal stent procedure?

• Pain in the esophagus.
• Bleeding (usually mild)
• New hole in the esophagus (rare)
• Movement of the stent.
• Tumor growth into the stent.
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD or heartburn)

What can I expect after an esophageal stent?

You might feel some soreness as the stent expands. Taking painkillers for a few days helps. After a few days, the soreness usually goes away but you might still have some soreness at times. Tell your nurse or doctor if you still have pain.

Can esophageal stricture be cured?

Various treatment methods can treat benign esophageal strictures effectively. However, esophageal strictures can reoccur, and people may need to have repeat dilations to reopen the esophagus. According to one source, 30 percent of people who have an esophageal dilation will require another dilation within a year.

How big is an esophageal stent?

An esophageal stent is a flexible mesh tube, approximately 2cm (3/4 inch) wide, and is placed through the constricted area of your esophagus (food tube) to allow food and beverages to pass from your mouth to your stomach for digestion and absorption of nutrients.

What does a esophageal stricture feel like?

The symptoms of esophageal stricture include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); feeling like food or liquid is getting stuck in your throat; recurrent choking and/or coughing episodes; regurgitation; a burning sensation in the chest, throat, or neck; and dehydration or weight loss.

What foods to avoid if you have an esophageal stent?

Foods such as bread, toast, egg, fish with bones, pithy fruit (orange, grapefruit, pineapple), stringy vegetables (green beans, celery), salad items, raw vegetables and chips may cause your stent to block.

What are the disadvantages of a stent?

Although major complications are uncommon, stenting carries all of the same risks as angioplasty alone for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The catheter insertion site could become infected or bleed heavily and will likely be bruised.