Living with cirrhosis can lead to dangerous bleeding in the esophagus. To stop this, doctors sometimes use a metal stent to keep the area open. Usually, these stents are not intended to stay in for long periods, but a recent case involving a 72-year-old woman showed a different path.
In this case, the patient had a fully covered metal stent that stayed in place for 387 days. Despite the long stay, the stent successfully stopped her bleeding and helped her symptoms. When doctors finally removed the stent after more than a year, they found it could be done successfully even after such a long time.
While this result shows it is technically possible to remove a stent after a year, it is not a recommendation for everyday practice. The patient did experience some side effects like acid reflux and discomfort, but the procedure was successful. Because this was only one person, more research is needed before this becomes a standard way to treat patients.
Common questions
Is it safe to leave a metal stent in for a long time?
In this specific case, a patient had a stent for 387 days. While it successfully stopped her bleeding and resolved her varices, the doctors noted that keeping a stent in for a long time is not currently recommended as a routine practice. You should talk to your doctor about the best plan for your specific condition.
What are the risks of having a stent for esophageal varices?
The patient in this report experienced some side effects, including acid regurgitation, discomfort, and mucosal ulceration. She also had two episodes of hepatic encephalopathy. Because this was a single case, these results do not represent all possible outcomes for every patient.
Can a stent be removed after a year of use?
Yes, this case shows that a fully covered metal stent was successfully removed after 387 days. While it shows the procedure is technically possible, the report notes that this specific case is not intended to support routine long-term stent placement as a standard medical practice.
