Bile duct stent (Biliary stent insertion (usually at ERCP))

A small tube placed inside a blocked or narrowed bile duct, usually through a camera test (ERCP), so that bile can drain again.

✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review

In short

A bile duct stent reopens a blocked or narrowed bile duct so bile can drain and jaundice and itching settle.
It relieves the blockage but does not treat the cause; the reason for the blockage still needs its own plan.
Plastic stents are often temporary and usually need changing or removing, commonly within a few months, or they can block.
The biggest risks are infection of the bile system and inflammation of the pancreas; ask what your warning signs are and who to call.

A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.

At a glance

TypeEndoscopic procedure (telescope test through the mouth)

AnaestheticSedation, sometimes general anaesthetic

How long it takesUsually about 30–60 minutes

Hospital stayOften day case or a short hospital stay

Time off workOften a few days, longer if you are unwell

When you'll see resultsJaundice and itching usually ease over days; blood tests track recovery

On the NHS?Commonly done on the NHS when bile flow is blocked; private access may be used for speed or choice

A general guide. Your specialist will give you advice for your situation.

Best fit

Can quickly relieve a blocked bile duct so bile drains again

Pause if

The bile duct cannot be reached endoscopically (for example after certain stomach surgery), so a percutaneous or surgical route is safer.

Main recovery point

You rest while sedation wears off. You may have a sore throat and feel bloated. You should not drive, sign legal documents or drink alcohol that day.

Good aftercare

Written warning signs and a named, out-of-hours contact route for severe pain, fever or returning jaundice.

First few hours

You rest while sedation wears off. You may have a sore throat and feel bloated. You should not drive, sign legal...

First 24–48 hours

Watch for tummy or back pain, fever or vomiting, which can be early signs of pancreatitis or infection. Most...

First 1–2 weeks

Jaundice, itching and dark urine usually improve as bile drains. Blood tests may be repeated to check your liver...

Weeks to months

If you have a plastic stent, your team will plan when to change or remove it, commonly within a few months, before...

Medical line illustration of the bile duct, pancreas and ERCP pathway for Bile duct stent. — Illustration only - not a diagnosis, medical advice or a promise of result. Your anatomy and treatment plan may differ. Vuemedics does not publish before-and-after photos.

What is a bile duct stent?

The bile duct is the tube that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder into the bowel. If it becomes blocked or narrowed — by a gallstone, a narrowing (stricture), inflammation or a tumour — bile backs up. This can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itching, dark urine, pale stools and a serious infection of the bile system (cholangitis).

A bile duct stent is a short tube, made of plastic or metal, that is placed inside the duct to hold it open so bile can drain again. It is most often placed during an ERCP, where a thin flexible telescope is passed through your mouth, stomach and into the top of the small bowel to reach the opening of the bile duct.

A stent treats the blockage; on its own it does not treat the cause. If the blockage is from a stone, the stone may be removed at the same time. If it is from a narrowing or a tumour, you will need further tests and a plan from your specialist team to deal with the underlying problem.

Sometimes the duct cannot be reached from the inside. In that case a radiologist may place a drain or stent through the skin instead (a percutaneous, or PTC, approach), which is a different procedure.

Types, options & approaches

There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.

Plastic stent

A soft plastic tube, often used as a temporary measure, for example to drain an infected duct or while the cause is being sorted out. Plastic stents tend to block over time and usually need changing or removing, commonly within around three to six months.

Self-expanding metal stent (SEMS)

A wire-mesh tube that opens out inside the duct and stays wider for longer. Often used where a blockage is expected to be longer-lasting, such as some tumours. Some are designed to be removable and some are not.

Covered vs uncovered metal stent

Metal stents may have a covering (a thin lining) or not. Covered stents can sometimes be removed more easily but may move; uncovered stents anchor better but tissue can grow through the mesh. Your endoscopist chooses based on the cause and location.

Stent placed through the skin (percutaneous)

If the duct cannot be reached by ERCP, a radiologist may place a drain or stent through the skin and liver under imaging. This is a related but separate procedure with its own risks.

Plastic vs metal bile duct stents

Feature	Plastic	Metal
Typical use	Often temporary	Often longer-term
How long it lasts	Tends to block sooner	Stays open longer
Removable	Yes, usually	Sometimes, depends on type
Often needs changing	Yes, planned	Sometimes

Your team chooses the stent based on the cause of the blockage, not on a one-size-fits-all rule. Ask why your stent type was chosen and whether and when it needs changing.

Preparing for your procedure

You will usually be asked not to eat for several hours beforehand, and to limit fluids; your team will give exact timings.
Tell your team about all medicines, especially blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs and diabetes medicines, as some need adjusting.
Mention any allergies, including to contrast dye or previous reactions during sedation.
Tell them if you could be pregnant, as ERCP uses X-rays.
Mention any heart, lung or kidney problems, and any previous problems with the procedure.
Because you will usually have sedation, arrange for someone to take you home and stay with you, and do not drive that day.
Ask whether you will need antibiotics before or after, especially if the duct is already infected.

What happens

You will usually be given sedation through a vein to make you drowsy and comfortable, or sometimes a general anaesthetic. You lie on your side or front. The endoscopist passes the flexible telescope through your mouth, down the gullet and stomach, to the opening where the bile duct drains into the bowel.

Using X-ray pictures and contrast dye, they find the blockage. They may widen the opening, remove a stone, take small samples (biopsies or brushings) if a narrowing needs checking, and then place the stent across the blockage so bile can drain through it.

The test itself usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Afterwards you are watched in a recovery area until the sedation wears off. Many people go home the same day or after a short stay, depending on why it was done and how well you are.

Is this procedure right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

May not be suitable if…

The bile duct cannot be reached endoscopically (for example after certain stomach surgery), so a percutaneous or surgical route is safer.
You are too unwell for sedation or anaesthetic without first being stabilised.
Bleeding cannot be safely managed because blood thinners cannot be paused or clotting is very abnormal.
A stent would not help because the blockage is not in a position a stent can relieve.

Delay or rearrange if…

You have an active infection elsewhere that should be treated first, unless the bile system itself is infected and needs urgent drainage.
You could be pregnant, as the procedure uses X-rays, unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.
Important blood-thinning or clotting issues have not yet been sorted out.
You cannot arrange a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you after sedation.

Alternatives to discuss

Removing the cause directly, for example clearing a gallstone, so a stent is not needed.
A drain or stent placed through the skin by a radiologist if ERCP is not possible.
Surgery to bypass or reconstruct the duct in selected cases.
Treating the underlying disease (such as a tumour) with the wider specialist team.
Watchful management with the team if a stent would not change the situation.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

What matters most to me?

Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.

What are all my options?

Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.

What would make me pause?

Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.

What happens if I do nothing today?

For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.

Comfort, sedation or contrast choices

If local anaesthetic, sedation, contrast or pain relief is used, ask what is planned, why, and what it means afterwards.

Sedation

Medicine through a vein to make you drowsy and comfortable; the most common approach for ERCP.

General anaesthetic

Sometimes used for longer or more complex procedures, or where sedation alone is not suitable.

Throat spray

A local anaesthetic spray to numb the throat, often used alongside sedation.

Benefits

Can quickly relieve a blocked bile duct so bile drains again
Often eases jaundice, itching and dark urine over the following days
Can treat or prevent a dangerous infection of the bile system (cholangitis)
Avoids open surgery in many cases
Allows samples to be taken to help find the cause of a narrowing

Risks & complications

More common

A sore throat and bloating for a short time afterwards
Temporary tummy discomfort
The need for the stent to be changed or removed later, especially plastic stents
A short stay in hospital if you are unwell or being watched

Less common

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause tummy and back pain
Infection of the bile system (cholangitis), sometimes leading to a serious bloodstream infection
Bleeding, particularly if the opening to the duct is widened
The stent blocking, slipping out of place or moving (migration)

Rare but serious

A tear (perforation) of the bowel or duct, which can need further treatment or surgery
A serious reaction to sedation or contrast dye
A stent that becomes difficult to remove, especially if left in a long time

The two risks specialists watch most closely are inflammation of the pancreas and infection of the bile system, which can become serious. Ask your team how experienced they are with ERCP, what your personal risk is, what warning signs to look for afterwards, and exactly who to phone day or night if you become unwell.

Published figures to discuss

Reported complication rates for ERCP vary with why it is done, how complex it is, and the patient's health, so figures are best treated as ranges rather than fixed numbers. Diagnostic ERCP carries lower risk than complex therapeutic procedures. Pre-existing infection and difficult anatomy raise the risk.

Figure	Reported range	How to interpret it	Source / confidence
Inflammation of the pancreas (post-ERCP pancreatitis)	Commonly reported around 4–5%, with wider ranges quoted in different series	Usually mild but can occasionally be severe; risk is higher in some patients and procedures.	Post-ERCP complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Infection of the bile system (cholangitis)	Reported around 2–3% in large series	More likely if the duct is already infected or drainage is incomplete; can become serious.	Post-ERCP complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Bleeding	Reported around 1–2%, mainly when the duct opening is widened	More likely if blood thinners cannot be paused.	Post-ERCP complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Perforation (a tear)	Uncommon, reported around 0.5% or less	May need further treatment or surgery; risk varies with the procedure.	Post-ERCP complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Plastic stent moving out of place (migration)	Reported in roughly 5–10% of plastic stents	Can cause the blockage to return or, rarely, damage the bowel.	Post-ERCP complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

What happens afterwards

Most people recover from the procedure itself within a day or two, but how you feel overall depends on why the stent was needed. Jaundice and itching usually ease over the following days as bile drains.

First few hours

You rest while sedation wears off. You may have a sore throat and feel bloated. You should not drive, sign legal documents or drink alcohol that day.

First 24–48 hours

Watch for tummy or back pain, fever or vomiting, which can be early signs of pancreatitis or infection. Most people start eating and drinking normally once any nausea settles.

First 1–2 weeks

Jaundice, itching and dark urine usually improve as bile drains. Blood tests may be repeated to check your liver is recovering.

Weeks to months

If you have a plastic stent, your team will plan when to change or remove it, commonly within a few months, before it blocks. Further treatment for the cause of the blockage continues alongside this.

What's normal — and not a worry

A mildly sore throat for a day or two
Some bloating or wind after air was used during the test
Tiredness, especially after sedation
Gradual fading of yellow skin, dark urine and itching over the following days

Aftercare

Have a responsible adult with you for the first 24 hours after sedation.
Start with light food and drink, building up as any nausea settles.
Take any antibiotics or other medicines exactly as prescribed.
Keep any planned appointment to change or remove a plastic stent; do not assume it can simply stay in.
Restart blood thinners only when your team tells you it is safe.
Keep the clinic's contact details, including an out-of-hours number, somewhere easy to find.
Go to A&E straight away if you develop severe tummy pain, a high temperature, shivering or vomiting.

Before your procedure

Someone to take you home and stay overnight
Light food and clear fluids ready at home
List of your usual medicines, and clear advice on blood thinners
Date for any stent change or removal written down
Clinic and out-of-hours numbers saved
A way to get to hospital quickly if you become unwell

⚠ Get urgent help if…

Severe or worsening tummy or back pain
A high temperature, shivering or feeling cold and shaky (signs of infection)
Yellowing of the skin or eyes coming back, with dark urine
Vomiting, or vomiting blood
Black, tarry stools or heavy bleeding
Feeling increasingly unwell, drowsy or confused

Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

A successful stent reopens the duct so bile drains, and jaundice, dark urine and itching usually settle over the following days. Blood tests checking liver function often improve too.

A stent treats the blockage, not its cause. It cannot tell you on its own whether a narrowing is harmless or serious; that needs the samples taken, scans and your specialist team's assessment. If the cause is a tumour, a stent helps you feel better and can be part of treatment, but it is not a cure on its own.

How long it lasts

Plastic stents are usually a temporary measure and tend to block over time, so they commonly need changing or removing within a few months. Metal stents stay open for longer but can still block as tissue grows in, or move out of place. Your team will tell you whether your stent is meant to be temporary or long-term, and what the plan is for checking or changing it.

Related tests, treatments or support

A stent is often only one step. It may be combined with removing gallstones at the same ERCP, taking samples to check a narrowing, and scans such as ultrasound, CT, MRI/MRCP or endoscopic ultrasound to find the cause. If gallstones are the problem, you may later be advised to have your gallbladder removed.

Follow-up & long-term care

You should be given a clear plan: what was found, what the stent is for, whether and when it needs changing or removing, and what is being done about the cause. If samples were taken, you will be told when and how you get the results. Repeat blood tests or scans are common. Make sure you know who is co-ordinating your care.

Plastic stents usually need planned changing or removal, commonly within a few months, to prevent blockage.
Some metal stents are left in place long-term but may still need checking.
Repeat blood tests are often used to check the liver and bile flow.
Tell any future endoscopist or surgeon that you have a stent in place.

Repeat, follow-on and what comes next

Plastic stents usually need a planned change or removal, commonly within a few months, before they block.
Stents can block, slip or move, meaning another procedure is sometimes needed.
If a narrowing turns out to be serious, the stent is only one part of a longer treatment plan.
A long-standing stent can occasionally be difficult to remove.

Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.

What good aftercare looks like

Written warning signs and a named, out-of-hours contact route for severe pain, fever or returning jaundice.
A clear, written plan for whether and when the stent will be changed or removed.
Repeat blood tests to confirm the liver and bile flow are recovering.
Joined-up care with the team treating the underlying cause, and clear communication with your GP.
Prompt results from any samples taken, with a plan for what happens next.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

Whether the procedure is done as a day case or needs a hospital stay
Sedation versus general anaesthetic and the anaesthetist's involvement
The type and number of stents used (plastic or metal)
Whether stones are removed or samples taken at the same time
Any planned repeat procedure to change or remove the stent
Scans, blood tests and specialist reporting before and after
Treatment needed for the underlying cause of the blockage

Make sure your written quote includes

The endoscopist's fee and the facility (hospital) fee
Sedation or anaesthetic costs
The cost of any stents, and of stone removal or biopsy if needed
Whether a planned stent change or removal is included or charged separately
Follow-up appointments, blood tests and results reporting
What happens, and what it costs, if the procedure is unsuccessful or a complication occurs
The cancellation policy

On the NHS? Bile duct stenting is commonly provided on the NHS, often as an urgent procedure when bile flow is blocked; private access may be used for speed, choice or a second opinion, but an urgent blockage should not wait for funding.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.

Choosing a specialist safely

Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Questions to ask your medical professional

Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.

What is causing my bile duct to be blocked, and what is the plan to treat the cause?
Is my stent plastic or metal, and is it meant to be temporary or stay in long-term?
When will my stent need changing or removing, and who arranges that?
What are my warning signs of pancreatitis or infection, and exactly who do I call day or night?
Were any samples taken, and when will I get those results?
If a stent cannot be placed at ERCP, what is the back-up plan?
Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
Will you be the specialist who carries out my procedure, and who looks after me afterwards?
What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
What does a realistic result look like — and what can this procedure not achieve?
What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Frequently asked questions

Will I be awake during the procedure?

Usually you have sedation through a vein to make you drowsy and comfortable, and many people remember little of it. Sometimes a general anaesthetic is used. Your team will explain which is planned for you.

Does having a stent hurt afterwards?

Most people have only a sore throat and some bloating. New or severe tummy or back pain, fever or vomiting is not normal and should be reported straight away, as it can signal pancreatitis or infection.

Can I feel the stent inside me?

No, you should not be able to feel a correctly placed bile duct stent. If you notice returning jaundice, pain or fever, the stent may be blocked or have moved, and you should contact your team.

Does the stent need to come out?

Plastic stents are usually temporary and need changing or removing, commonly within a few months, because they can block. Some metal stents are designed to stay in. Always check what the plan is for yours.

Is this available on the NHS or only privately?

Bile duct stenting is commonly done on the NHS when bile flow is blocked, often urgently. Private care may be used for speed, choice of specialist or a second opinion, but an urgent blockage should never wait for funding.

What if the duct cannot be reached through the mouth?

If ERCP is not possible, a radiologist may be able to place a drain or stent through the skin and liver instead. Your team will discuss the safest route for you.

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How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: NHS — Gallstones (treatment, including ERCP and stents) NICE — Gallstone disease guideline (CG188) Post-ERCP complications review — PMC ERCP-related perforation, population study — PMC

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.