Ask the expert

stents

Question

what foods can you have with a stent fitted?

Answer

Oesophageal stents are placed to help keep the gullet open, and therefore aid swallowing. Dietary advice following stent placement will depend very much on the individual. Factors such as; type of stent placed, position in the oesophagus, extent of the cancer and symptoms experienced (e.g. reflux), and ability to chew need to be considered. It is common for patients to feel anxious about eating with a stent in situ and confidence levels may also affect what diet they can ultimately manage to take. Patients can ask their hospital doctor or GP to refer them to a registered dietitian who will undertake an individual nutritional assessment.

Generally, patients are encouraged to follow as near normal diet as can be safely achieved. Many will require a texture modified diet e.g. soft or pureed diet. The dietitian will be able to advise on what consistency of diet is needed.

Recommendations:

  • Eat slowly and chew food well.
  • Sit upright when eating
  • Frequent consumption of any type of fluid after eating to wash away debris and help prevent blockages.
  • Avoidance of food that may block the tube. It is not possible to provide a list of foods that must be avoided, but observational reports point to risk from:
  • Bread and toast
  • Egg
  • Fish with bones
  • Stringy, pithy fruit
  • Stringy / hard raw vegetables
  • Chips

Source: Professional Consensus Statement of Dietetic Advice post Oesophageal Stent placement. Produced by: Oncology Group of the British Dietetic Association. Reviewed May 2008

 It is common for patients with an oesophageal stent to present with weight loss. In addition to texture modification, it may be necessary to increase the protein and calorie content of the diet in order to meet nutritional requirements and prevent deficiency. Nutritional supplement drinks and products may be helpful here. The dietitian will be able to advise on this.

You may find the following links useful for further information:

Oesophageal Patients' Association: www.opa.org.uk

Cancer Research UK: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Macmillan Cancer support: www.macmillan.org.uk