Placement of self-expanding metal stents for acute malignant large-bowel obstruction: a collective review.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to review our experience with self-expanding metal stents as the initial interventional approach in the management of acute malignant large-bowel obstruction.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients who underwent placement of colonic stents at our institution between June 1994 and June 2000 were identified and reviewed.


RESULTS
In 14 patients, the stents were placed for palliation, whereas in 12, they were placed as a bridge to surgery. In 22 patients (85%), stent placement was successful on the first occasion. In the remaining four individuals, one was successfully stented at the second occasion, and three required emergency surgery. Nine of the 12 patients (75%) in the bridge-to-surgery group underwent elective colon resection. In the palliative group, four patients (29%) had reobstruction of the stents, and in one (9%), the stent migrated. In the remaining nine patients (64%), the stent was patent until the patient died or until the time of last follow-up (median, 156 days).


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience with 26 patients who developed a complete bowel obstruction as a consequence of a malignant tumor, placement of colonic stents to achieve immediate nonoperative decompression proved to be both safe and effective. Subsequent elective resection was accomplished in the majority of resectable cases.
Dauphine
Christine E
CE
Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California/Los Angeles County Medical Center, USA.
Tan
Patrick
P
Beart
Robert W
RW
Vukasin
Petar
P
Cohen
Hartley
H
Corman
Marvin L
ML
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome