Stentning

Stentning, or stenting, is a medical procedure in which a stent—a small, expandable tube—is placed inside a hollow organ or vessel to keep it open and restore or improve flow. The most common use is in blood vessels, but stents can also be placed in the bile ducts, ureters, airways, or parts of the digestive tract. The goal is to relieve obstruction or stenosis caused by atherosclerosis, tumors, stones, or post-surgical narrowing.

Stents are made from metal alloys such as stainless steel or nitinol, or from polymer materials. They can be bare-metal stents or drug-eluting stents that release medications to reduce tissue growth that can narrow the vessel. In addition to vascular stents, nonvascular stents include biliary, ureteral, tracheobronchial, and esophageal stents, each designed for the specific anatomy and use.

The procedure is usually minimally invasive. Vascular stents are placed during endovascular procedures, often following angioplasty to prop open a narrowed artery. Nonvascular stents are placed via endoscopy or cystoscopy/ureteroscopy. After placement, medications such as antiplatelet drugs are commonly prescribed to prevent clotting in vascular stents. Hospital stays vary by site and patient condition.

Benefits include immediate improvement in flow, relief of symptoms such as chest pain or leg claudication, and avoidance of open surgery in many cases. Risks include bleeding, infection, stent thrombosis or restenosis, stent migration or fracture, and the need for additional procedures in the future. Follow-up imaging monitors patency, and decisions about antiplatelet therapy and possible reintervention depend on the stent type and indication.