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Having an Oesophageal Stent
Department of Radiology
Information for Patients
Radiology Leaflet No. 17
i
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Contents
Introduction 3
Referral and consent 3
What is an oesophageal stent insertion? 4
Why do I need an oesophageal stent? 4
Important information 4
How do I prepare for the procedure? 5
How long will the procedure take? 6
What happens after the procedure? 6
What happens after the examination? 6
Foods allowed 7
Foods to avoid 7
Are there any risks or complications? 8
What if I need to talk to someone? 9
Background radiation 9
Support for people with learning difficulties 10
Other sources of information 10
Additional hospital information 11
Any questions? 14
Page number
3
Introduction
This leaflet tells you about the procedure called oesophageal stent
insertion. It explains what is involved and what the possible risks
are.
Referral and consent
The doctor who referred you should have discussed the reasons for
needing this procedure. You should make sure that you understand
these reasons, the procedure itself, any risks involved and the
success rates.
The consultant or the radiologist (a specialised X-ray doctor) who
will be performing the procedure will ask you to sign a consent form.
When you sign this it means you have agreed to have the procedure
done and that you understand why it is needed. You should have
had sufficient explanation before you sign the consent form. You will
have a copy of the consent form to take away.
If after discussion with your hospital doctor or radiologist you do not
want the procedure carried out, then you can decide against it. If
you feel during the procedure that you do not want it to continue we
will explain the implications of not doing so, to help you fully decide.
If the radiologist feels that your condition has changed or that your
symptoms do not indicate the procedure is necessary then they will
explain this to you. The radiologist will let the doctor who referred
you know, so that they can see you again to review your condition.
At all times the radiologist and referring doctor will be acting in your
best interests.
4
Why do I need an oesophageal stent?
Your oesophagus, or gullet, is a hollow, muscular tube that takes
food from your mouth down to the stomach. If it becomes blocked,
there will be a problem with your swallowing.
One way of overcoming this problem is by placing a metal mesh
tube called a stent down the oesophagus and through / past the
blockage. Food can then pass down the gullet through this stent
and this should make swallowing easier. This procedure is called
oesophageal stent insertion.
What is an oesophageal stent insertion?
Other tests that you probably have had done - either an endoscopy
(telescope test) or else a barium swallow - have shown that your
oesophagus has become blocked.
Your doctor will have discussed with you the likeliest cause of the
blockage and the possible treatments. It is likely that an operation
has been ruled out and that a stent is considered the best treatment
option for you.
Please tell the doctor who is doing the procedure if:
You have any allergies.
You are diabetic.
There is any possibility that you may be pregnant.
If you are on medication that thins the blood please contact the
radiology Department for advice. These drugs include aspirin,
warfarin and Clopidogrel (Plavix).
Important information
5
The procedure is usually performed in the X-ray department. You
will be asked to put on a hospital gown.
You will lie on the X-ray table, generally on your back or side. A
needle may be put into a vein in your arm so that you may be given
medication if necessary. You will receive a sedative to relieve pain
and anxiety.
A thin tube (called a catheter) and a guide-wire are passed through
your mouth, down the gullet, and through the blockage. The doctor
will use X-rays to see where the blockage is.
When the guide-wire is in the correct position through the blockage,
the catheter is removed. The stent is then passed over the
guide-wire and into the correct position across the blockage to open
up the blockage.
Some discomfort may be felt in your throat or chest, but this should
not be too sore. There will be a nurse or another member of staff
looking after you. If the procedure becomes painful for you they will
be able to arrange for you to have more painkillers through the
needle in your arm.
Generally, placing the stent in the oesophagus (gullet) does not take
very long.
What happens during the procedure?
How do I prepare for the procedure?
You need to be an inpatient in the hospital.
Do not have anything to eat or drink for 6 hours before your
procedure.
6
How long will the procedure take?
You will be taken back to your ward. Nurses will check your pulse,
blood pressure and temperature to make sure that there are no
problems. You will generally stay in bed for a few hours until you
have recovered
What happens after the procedure?
For the first 4 hours after the procedure:
You will not be able to eat or drink for 4 hours after the procedure.
After 4 hours:
Most patients will then be able to start drinking clear fluids and then
tea/coffee.
Avoid acidic liquids like orange juice and pineapple juice.
After 24 hours:
After 24 hours you will be able to start eating a fairly liquid diet, for
example jelly, custard, yoghurt, smooth soup, for a few days before
starting on soft solids. See the diet sheet on the next page for more
information. Foods that are more solid should be chewed properly
before swallowing.
What happens after the examination?
Every patient’s situation is different. It is not always easy to know
how complex or how straightforward the procedure will be. It will
probably be over in 45 minutes, but occasionally it may take an
hour. As a guide, expect to be in the X-ray department for about an
hour and a half altogether.
7
Foods allowed
Foods to avoid:
Raw apples (unless cut into very small pieces).
Fruit skins.
Raw or stringy vegetables.
Tough meat.
Fish - unless free from bones.
Hard boiled eggs.
Hard chips.
Segments of grapefruit or orange.
Foods to avoid
Foods allowed:
Meat: Minced, liquidised.
Cheese: Grated or in a sauce.
Fruit and vegetables: Well cooked, pureed or liquidised.
Cereals: Wholemeal bread, porridge, Ready Brek,
biscuits.
Drinks: Horlicks, Ovaltine, fruit juice.
8
Are there any risks or complications?
As with any procedure or operation, complications are possible. We
have included the most common risks and complications in this
leaflet. The possibility of these complications occurring will vary for
each patient and the possibility of these complications happening to
you will be discussed with you before you sign the consent form.
Bleeding - Bleeding can happen in around 3 to 8 patients in 100
(3-8%). It is possible that a little bleeding may occur during the
procedure. This generally stops without the need for any action.
Pain and heartburn - Most people will experience discomfort in
the chest for a few hours after the stent is put in place while the
stent “beds in”, but this normally settles in a day or two. Some
patients get heartburn afterwards and need to take medicine for
this. Prolonged chest pain may happen in 1 in 7 patients (14%).
Stent movement or blockage - The stent may move or block
over time due to treatment or disease progression. It may be
necessary to repeat the procedure.
Perforation - Very rarely, putting the stent in may cause a tear to
the gullet (oesophagus). This is a serious condition and may need
an operation or insertion of another stent.
Risk of death - There is a risk of death following an
oesophageal stent procedure. This rate is less than 2 patients in
every 100 stent procedures performed (0 – 1.4%).
Despite these possible complications, the procedure is normally
very safe and will almost certainly result in a great improvement in
your medical condition.
9
Are there any risks or complications? (continued)
You may receive a visit on the ward by nursing staff from radiology
before the procedure.
During the procedure a member of staff will be with you throughout
the procedure to reassure you.
After the procedure you may talk to the medical or nursing staff in
the radiology department or on the ward.
What if I need to talk to someone?
The risk from having x-rays is small.. We are all exposed to natural
background radiation every day of our lives. This comes from the
sun, food we eat, and the ground. Each examination gives a dose
on top of this natural background radiation. The risks from radiation
are slightly higher for the unborn child so we must ask female
patients aged 10 to 55 years about their menstrual history.
The benefits of this examination outweigh any potential risk from the
X-rays and the risk from not having the examination could be
greater. We will take all precautions to minimise the amount of
X-rays you receive.
Background radiation?
At all times during and after the procedure the staff will be
monitoring your responses to this treatment in order to minimize the
effects of any complications.
If you have any problems when you go home, please see your GP.
10
Websites:
For general information about radiology departments visit the
Royal College of Radiologists website:
www.goingfora.com
For information about the effects of x-rays read the NRPB
publication: ‘X-rays how safe are they’, on the Health Protection
Agency website: www.HPA.org.uk
Please note that the views expressed in these websites, do not
necessarily reflect the views of UHL or the NHS.
University Hospitals of Leicester website:
www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk
NHS Direct: For health advice or information you can call NHS
on: 111.
Other sources of information
There is support available in our hospitals for patients with learning
disabilities. Please contact the learning disability specialist nursing
team on (0116) 258 4382 telling them when the appointment is and
what examination has been booked.
Support for people with learning difficulties
11
Additional hospital information
How was it for you?
If you wish to make any comments or suggestions regarding your
visit to the Radiology Department please fill in a suggestion form or
speak to a member of staff. Suggestion forms are located in all
waiting areas within the department.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust also has a Patient
Information and Liaison Service (PILS), and you are welcome to
contact them on:
Freephone: 08081 788337
email: [email protected]
We review our information leaflets on a regular basis. If you have
any comments about how we can improve these leaflets please
speak to a member of staff.
12
Additional hospital information (continued)
Directions and parking
For information about getting to the hospital please see the
hospitals website:
www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/patients/getting-to-hospital
Hospital car parking is available to all hospital patients and visitors.
Spaces are limited so please allow plenty of time to find a car
parking space. Parking charges are payable, please check tariff
boards or the hospital website for full details. As well as the hourly
rates there are a range of saver tickets available for patients and
prime carers. Dedicated disabled parking bays are also available.
Marked disabled bays exist outside of the public car parks for which
there is no charge. If you park in the car parks the fee will apply.
Drop off bays exist at the main entrances, these bays have a 20
minutes maximum stay.
Certain qualifying benefits as notified by the Department of Social
Security entitle the patient to free or reduced parking. For more
information contact the Cashiers office.
Bus services to the hospital
For information on bus routes and times contact Traveline on 0871
200 2233. The hospital Hopper service runs from Monday to
Friday, every 30 min from 06:30 hours until 18:00 hours and every
hour from 18:00 hours until 21:00 hours. The Hopper stops at our
three hospital sites, as well as other key locations such as Leicester
train station, Beaumont Leys centre and Hamilton centre and also
St Nicholas circle.
www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/patients/getting-to-hospital/bus-
travel/hospital-hopper-bus/
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Relatives and escorts
You may wish to bring a friend or relative to accompany you to and
from the Radiology Department when you have your examination
although they may not always be allowed into the examination
room. This may be useful if you do not understand English very
well or if you have any special needs.
Children
Baby changing facilities are available. Please ask to be shown to
them if you wish to use them.
We are unable to offer childcare facilities. If you need to bring your
children with you, please bring along an adult who can supervise
them whilst your examination is being carried out. Radiology staff
are not able to supervise your children.
Facilities available:
Refreshments: Refreshments including hot and cold drinks are
available in the hospital. Please ask a member of staff for
directions.
Shops: Each hospital contains a shop selling magazines,
newspapers, sweets and drinks. Please ask a member of staff for
directions.
Additional hospital information (continued)
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If you have any questions write them down here to remind you what
to ask when you speak to your consultant or nurse specialist.
Any questions?
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If you have any questions write them down here to remind you what
to ask when you speak to your consultant or nurse specialist.
Any questions?
If you would like this information in another language or
format, please contact the service equality manager on
0116 250 2959
Today’s research is tomorrow’s care
We all benefit from research. Leicester’s Hospitals is a research active Trust so you may find that research is happening when you visit the hospital or your clinic.
If you are interested in finding out how you can become involved in a clinical trial or to find out more about taking part in research, please speak to your clinician or GP.
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