title: Transanal self-expanding metal stents as an alternative to palliative colostomy in selected patients with malignant obstruction of the left colon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Palliative colostomy is still unavoidable in many patients with malignant obstruction of the left colon. This report describes an initial experience and follow-up in a small series of patients with left-sided colon obstruction in whom transanal self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement was attempted for palliative purposes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Palliative transanal SEMS placement was attempted in 11 patients with malignant obstruction of the rectosigmoid region. The selection criteria included patients with advanced pelvic disease, peritoneal carcinomatosis and/or multiple parenchymatous metastatic disease. Wallstent oesophageal endoprostheses were used, and the technique was carried out by interventional radiologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The technique succeeded in relieving the obstruction in seven patients, and surgical intervention was prevented in six. Five of these six patients died with an unobstructed colon from 26 days to 7 months after SEMS placement. The technique failed in four patients, three of whom underwent emergency colostomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transanal SEMS placement is an appealing method for the relief of obstruction in selected patients, obviating the need for palliative colostomy.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department (Surgical Section), University General Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turégano-Fuentes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Echenagusia-Belda
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simó-Muerza
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Camuñez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Jimenez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Del Valle Hernandez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quintans-Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D015607:Stents; D017211:Treatment Failure