Endoscopic_stenting
Endoscopic stenting is a medical procedure by which a stent, a hollow device designed to prevent constriction or collapse of a tubular organ, is inserted by endoscopy. They are usually inserted when a disease process has led to narrowing or obstruction of the organ in question, such as the esophagus or the colon.
There are various types of endoscopic stents: plastic stents, uncovered self-expandable metallic stents, partially covered self-expandable metallic stents, and fully covered self-expandable metallic stents.[1] Self-expandable metallic stents "play an important role in the management of malignant obstructing lesions in the gastrointestinal tract."[2]
A stent may be inserted into the common bile duct during an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, especially if gallstone removal is deemed too risky.[3]