Malignant colorectal obstruction treated by means of self-expanding metallic stents: effectiveness before surgery and in palliation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness and safety of metallic stents in the treatment of malignant colorectal obstruction before surgery and for palliation.


METHODS
Eighty patients with acute malignant colorectal obstruction presumed to be malignant were treated by means of implanting self-expanding metallic stents.


RESULTS
Stent placement was successful in 70 of the 80 patients and resolved bowel obstruction in 67 patients (96%). Two patients had colonic perforation and developed peritonitis 18 and 24 hours after stent placement; one patient died as a consequence. Thirty-three patients underwent elective surgery after 7 days +/- 3 (SD; range, 4-10 days), and adequate tumoral coverage and cleansing of the colon were observed in all patients. Stent placement was used as final palliative treatment in another 35 patients. Patient follow-up lasted a mean of 138 days +/- 93 (range, 36-334 days). The survival rate for the palliative group was 55% at 3 months, 44% at 6 months, and 25% at 9 months. The estimated primary stent patency rate was 91% at 3 and 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Management of colorectal obstruction by using metallic stents was effective and safe, although colonic perforation is a potential complication. In cases of palliation, the method may obviate palliative colostomy.
Camúñez
F
F
Departments of Radiology and Surgery, Hospital General Universitario "Gregorio Marañón," Madrid, Spain.
Echenagusia
A
A
Simó
G
G
Turégano
F
F
Vázquez
J
J
Barreiro-Meiro
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012449:Safety; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate
D008670:Metals