{"id":549772,"date":"2021-08-09T07:13:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T11:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nortonhealthcare.com\/?page_id=549772"},"modified":"2022-08-01T14:45:00","modified_gmt":"2022-08-01T18:45:00","slug":"bowel-obstruction-treatment","status":"publish","type":"service","link":"https:\/\/nortonhealthcare.com\/services-and-conditions\/gastroenterology\/treatment\/bowel-obstruction-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Gastrointestinal Stent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Esophagus<\/a>, stomach and bowel obstruction treatment due to cancer no longer needs to be a traditional surgical procedure. For many patients, blockages can be treated by inserting a flexible tube at the site of the obstruction that pushes tumors aside. This allows food, fluid and waste to move more freely through the digestive system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gastrointestinal blockages, which also can result from pancreatic cancer, can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. The blockages also can become life threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Placing a stent \u2014 similar to the devices used to treat heart conditions \u2014 via endoscope has proven a successful alternative to surgery in over 90% of cases where it has been used. It is performed while you are under sedation, and you\u2019ll likely go home the same day as your procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stent, a short, mesh tube, is placed with an endoscope guided by your physician to the precise area of the blockage as real-time images are transmitted to a monitor. Then the stent is passed through the endoscope and expanded, opening the narrowed area of the gastrointestinal tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stent holds open the area of the gastrointestinal tract that that had been blocked. Once it is placed, the stent expands to a diameter of about an inch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Board-certified and fellowship-trained gastroenterologists at Norton Healthcare Gastroenterology have been precisely placing gastrointestinal stents with endoscopy for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for Gastrointestinal Stent Placement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your physician will provide you with instructions you will need to follow in the days before your procedure. Following these instructions is essential to limit surgery risks and provide the best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure your providers are aware of all medications that you are taking, especially the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n