How long does a bile duct stent procedure take?

The stent is put inside the bile duct using a small wire. When the stent is in the right place the wire is removed. The stent should unblock the bile duct, which should then drain normally. The ERCP usually takes 30-40 minutes.

How do they put a stent in your bile duct?

Stents can be put into your bile duct by going through your skin. This is called percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). You have a local anaesthetic injection into your skin above the liver to numb the area. Your doctor puts a long thin needle through the skin and liver, and into the bile ducts.

What can I expect after a biliary stent?

The referred pain usually lasts less than 12 hours. You may have a small amount of bleeding from the puncture site. You will need to take it easy at home for 1 to 3 days after the PTC. You will probably be able to go back to work and most of your usual activities after that.

Are biliary stents permanent?

Conclusion: Endoprosthesis insertion as a permanent therapy is an effective alternative to surgery or dissolution therapy. Therefore, biliary stenting should preferably be restricted to high-risk patients unfit for operative treatment and with a short life expectancy.

Is bile duct stent removal painful?

Do biliary stents cause pain? Occasionally, stents can cause discomfort when placed, which might disappear after a few days. However, the stent may sometimes result in inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

How is a stent used to open a Blocked bile duct?

Endoscopic biliary stenting is a procedure done to open your blocked bile duct (tube). During the procedure, a stent is placed into your blocked bile duct. A stent is a small plastic or metal tube that is used to keep your bile duct open.

What are the side effects of a biliary stent?

A biliary stent is a plastic or metal tube inserted into a bile duct. Biliary stenting is a procedure that opens the obstructed bile duct. Obstructed bile duct leads to the accumulation of bile in the liver resulting in yellowing of the skin (jaundice), dark urine, light stools, itching, nausea and poor appetite.

How does a stent help widen the gallbladder?

Stents helps to widen the bile duct so that bile can flow smoothly into the intestine. Bile is fluid manufactured by liver which helps to digest fat in the food. Gallbladder is a storehouse for bile. It is a small bag under the liver.

What do you need to know about endoscopic biliary stenting?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Endoscopic biliary stenting is a procedure done to open your blocked bile duct (tube). During the procedure, a stent is placed into your blocked bile duct. A stent is a small plastic or metal tube that is used to keep your bile duct open.