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The oesophagus or gullet connects the mouth with the stomach. It is a muscular tube. The muscles in the oesophagus move food into the stomach. If some disorder has narrowed the oesophagus, it can be kept open using a tube or a stent. This type of stent is made of a metal mesh, for example. A stent is folded tightly together so that it can be inserted more easily. The stent then unfolds by itself in the esophagus. Where necessary, any stents already in place are removed before a new stent is inserted.

You had an esophageal endoscopy so that the stent could be inserted. An esophageal endoscopy involves inserting an examination instrument via the mouth or nose. Such a device may be a flexible or rigid tube. The device is then pushed down into the esophagus. A camera is attached to the tube. This camera then sends images to a screen during the examination.

The stent includes a valve. The purpose of the valve is to prevent stomach acids from flowing into the esophagus.