title: Use of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of rectosigmoid cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with large bowel obstruction can be palliated by colostomy or by endoscopic modalities that restore luminal patency. The clinical results of a series of patients with rectosigmoid cancer in whom self-expanding metal stents were inserted at endoscopy are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven patients with symptoms related to obstructive rectosigmoid adenocarcinoma were treated by endoscopic insertion of self-expanding metal stents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Metal stents were correctly placed in 36 of 37 patients (97%) with no immediate complications. Early dislodgment of the stent (within 1 week) was observed in 3 cases. The remaining 33 patients (92%) were followed for a median of 7 months (3 weeks-33 months). In 28 patients (78%) there was long-term restoration of luminal patency and disappearance of obstructive symptoms without further treatments. They experienced no pain, tenesmus, or incontinence during the follow-up period. The incidence of complications (early and late) and the mortality rate related to the procedure were 22% and 3%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic metal stents can be considered a simple and effective solution for long-term palliation of rectosigmoid cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Endoscopy, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mancini
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors