title: [Treatment of acute colorectal obstructions by implantation of expandable metal prosthesis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of colorectal stents implanted through the anus for the treatment of acute intestinal occlusion before elective surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  25 patients (3 females and 22 males) with a mean age of 62.5 years (range: 49-94), were diagnosed of lower intestinal occlusion due to neoplasm. In all cases, an expandable metallic stent was implanted through the anus during the first 24 h. X-ray studies, tumoral staging and surgical preparation were performed in all cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Implantation of stent was successful in 23 patients (92%). Clinical improvement of intestinal occlusion was observed in 24 hours. Criteria of no-resectability were found in five patients (20%). The remaining patients (18 cases) were treated by tumoral resection and end-to-end anastomosis an average of 8.6 days there after. No complications were observed and the patients were discharged 8.3 days after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implantation of colorectal stents before elective surgery constitutes a good alternative to surgery in the acute lower intestinal occlusion (left colon and rectum-sigmoid emergency).
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clinico Universitario, Zaragoza.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: De Gregorio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mainar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tobio
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quintana
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Alfonso
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Miguelena
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lozano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents