Enteral stents are tubular devices that can reestablish the patency of the gastrointestinal (GI) lumen in the setting of high-grade obstruction. Although they have been more commonly used in the palliation of malignant obstruction, they now have expanding roles for benign luminal strictures and stenoses. Familiarity with the indications and contraindications for enteral stent placement can enable consideration of a less invasive and morbid therapeutic option for many patients with symptomatic obstructions. The development of self-expandable metal stents and the subsequent emergence of lumen-apposing coaxial metal stents have expanded the role of enteral stents in the management of various GI disorders.
This review contains 49 references, 5 figures, and 5 tables.
Key Words: coaxial, enteral, gastrointestinal malignancy, lumen-apposing, obstruction, palliation, stent