Endoscopic Metal Stent

Endoscopic stenting is a procedure during which a stent is inserted by endoscopy. A stent is a hollow device specially designed to prevent constriction or collapse of a tubular organ. 

A stent is usually inserted when a disease process has led to the narrowing or obstruction of the organ, such as the oesophagus or the colon.

The endoscopic stent is also called a self-expandable metallic stent. It plays an important role in the management of malignant obstructing lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. 

A stent may also be inserted into the common bile during an Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), especially if gallstone removal is deemed too risky for the patients.