Stenting in the oesophagus.

Self-expanding metallic stents have assumed increasing importance in the palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia in recent years. This is most commonly the result of inoperable oesophageal cancer, but may also be the result of extrinsic compression on the oesophagus by other malignant masses. Stents are also occasionally used as a last resort in benign disease.