In some cases of bowel obstruction, a doctor places expandable metal tubes called stents in the small or large intestine. Stents hold the intestine open to allow its contents to move forward, which helps restore bowel function and improve symptoms.

Stents may be used to:

• Help you gain strength before surgery.
• Help prevent emergency surgery. Making large-intestine surgery less urgent may help avoid the need for a colostomy.
• Treat an obstruction caused by inoperable cancer. You may also receive medicines to reduce the amount of digestive fluids in your intestines.