What is the difference between a stent and a tube?

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

While the terms "stent" and "tube" are often used in medical contexts, a surprising number of people confuse them or think they are the same thing. Understanding the difference between a stent and a tube is critical for grasping medical procedures, as these devices serve very distinct purposes in the body. A stent is a mesh scaffold that props open a vessel, while a tube is a hollow conduit for fluid drainage or delivery.

Quick Summary

A stent is a small, wire-mesh implant designed to remain permanently in a blood vessel or other hollow structure to hold it open. A tube, however, is a flexible, hollow device used temporarily to drain fluids, deliver medication, or provide an access point, and is typically removed once its function is complete. Their primary distinction lies in their purpose, placement, and typical duration of use within the body.

Key Points

Stent vs. Tube: A stent is a permanent mesh implant that holds a vessel open, whereas a tube is a temporary hollow conduit used for draining or delivering substances.
Purpose is Different: Stents are for permanent structural support to prevent collapse, while tubes are for temporary transport, drainage, or access.
Placement and Duration: Stents are permanently placed inside a structure, while tubes can be internal or external and are removed once their function is complete.
Materials Vary: Stents are typically metal mesh, but tubes are usually flexible, hollow materials like plastic or silicone.
Angioplasty Example: During angioplasty, a catheter (a type of tube) is used to deploy a stent, illustrating how a temporary tube can be used to place a permanent stent.
Medical Context is Key: The decision to use a stent, a tube, or both depends on the specific medical condition, location, and desired outcome.

Stents: A Permanent Internal Scaffolding

A stent is a small, mesh-like device, most often made of metal, that is placed inside a bodily passage to keep it open. Unlike a temporary tube, a stent is designed for long-term or permanent placement. Its primary function is to prevent a narrowed or blocked vessel from collapsing again. The procedure to insert a stent is called stenting and is a common procedure in cardiology.

How a Coronary Stent Works

In coronary artery disease, plaque builds up inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. During a procedure called angioplasty, a catheter with a balloon on the tip is guided to the blocked artery. The balloon is inflated to push the plaque against the artery walls. After the balloon is removed, a compressed stent is deployed and expands to hold the artery open permanently, restoring proper blood flow.

Types of Stents and Their Uses

Stents are not just for the heart. Their use extends to other parts of the body as well:

Coronary Stents: Placed in the arteries supplying the heart.
Peripheral Stents: Used in arteries supplying blood to the legs or arms.
Ureteral Stents: Inserted into the ureter to keep it open and allow urine to flow from the kidney to the bladder.
Biliary Stents: Used to open blocked bile ducts.
Drug-Eluting Stents: Some stents are coated with a medication that slowly releases over time to prevent the growth of scar tissue, which could lead to re-narrowing of the artery.

Tubes: Temporary or External Conduits

A medical tube, in contrast to a stent, is a general term for a hollow, often flexible, device used as a conduit. Tubes are typically used for temporary purposes, such as draining fluid, administering medication, or providing access for other instruments. They are almost always removed after serving their purpose.

Common Examples of Medical Tubes

Catheters: A broad category of flexible tubes. For example, a urinary catheter drains urine from the bladder, while an intravenous (IV) catheter delivers fluids and medication into a vein.
Feeding Tubes: Used to deliver nutrition directly into the stomach or small intestine for patients who cannot eat normally.
Drainage Tubes: After surgery, a drainage tube might be placed near the incision to remove excess blood or fluid, preventing accumulation that could lead to infection.
Endotracheal Tube: A breathing tube inserted into the trachea to maintain an open airway during surgery or for patients on a ventilator.

The Critical Differences: Stent vs. Tube

While a stent can technically be described as a type of tube (a small mesh tube), its function and permanence distinguish it from the broader category of medical tubes. This table outlines the core distinctions.


Feature	Stent	Tube
Function	Permanent scaffolding to hold a vessel open.	Temporary conduit for fluid drainage, delivery, or access.
Placement	Internal, placed inside a hollow structure.	Internal or external, depending on the purpose.
Duration	Long-term or permanent.	Temporary; removed after a specific period or when no longer needed.
Structure	Mesh, wire, or solid material designed to expand.	Hollow, flexible (often plastic or silicone).
Purpose	To reinforce and prevent collapse.	To transport substances or create an access channel.

The Interplay Between Stents and Tubes

In some medical procedures, a tube might be used to help place a stent. For example, a catheter (a type of tube) is used during angioplasty to guide the delivery of a stent to its target location. Once the stent is deployed, the catheter is withdrawn, leaving the stent in place. Similarly, a temporary drainage tube may be used to manage a blockage before a more permanent stent can be placed, or after a procedure to assist with recovery.

The Decision-Making Process for Stents and Tubes

The choice between using a stent, a tube, or both is a complex medical decision made by healthcare professionals. It depends entirely on the patient's condition, the location and nature of the blockage or issue, and the intended outcome. Stents are the go-to solution for structural support where a permanent or semi-permanent fix is required. Tubes, on the other hand, are the versatile and temporary tool for a wide range of tasks, from feeding and medication to drainage.

For more detailed information on cardiovascular procedures like stenting, a trusted resource is the American Heart Association, which provides comprehensive guides and educational materials for patients.

Conclusion: More Than Just Words

In medical terminology, precision is key. Understanding the distinct roles of a stent and a tube is vital for any patient or caregiver. A stent offers permanent structural support, acting as an internal scaffold. A tube is a flexible, temporary tool for transport or drainage. While one might be used to deploy the other, their fundamental purposes and the patient's experience with them are entirely different. This clarity can help reduce confusion and empower individuals to have more informed conversations with their healthcare providers about their treatment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

A stent is a permanent, expandable mesh device placed inside a vessel to hold it open and prevent collapse. A medical tube is a temporary, hollow conduit used for tasks like drainage or delivering fluids, and is removed later.

Yes, a catheter is a specific type of medical tube. It is a flexible, hollow tube inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel for fluid delivery, drainage, or to introduce other medical instruments, such as during stent placement.

A stent is designed to be permanent. It is placed in a collapsed state and then expanded to prop open the vessel. Over time, tissue grows over and around the stent, incorporating it into the vessel wall to maintain patency.

Most medical tubes are temporary, serving a function for a limited time, such as an IV line or a post-surgical drain. However, some types of feeding tubes or urinary tubes may be left in for longer periods, but they are still not considered permanent in the same way a stent is.

Yes, a catheter, which is a type of tube, is frequently used to deliver a compressed stent to the target location inside a blood vessel. The stent is then expanded, and the catheter is withdrawn.

A drug-eluting stent is a specialized type of metal mesh stent coated with medication. This medication is slowly released into the vessel walls to help prevent the growth of scar tissue that could cause the vessel to re-narrow over time.

A ureteral stent is a thin tube placed internally from the kidney to the bladder to allow urine flow, bypassing an obstruction. A nephrostomy tube, in contrast, is an external tube inserted through the skin directly into the kidney to drain urine into a collection bag outside the body.