Use of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of rectosigmoid cancer.
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.
Spinelli
P
P
Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Endoscopy, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
Mancini
A
A
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