title: The use of self-expandable metal stents in the palliation of malignant bowel obstruction.
abstract: Palliation of malignant gastrointestinal obstruction is a major aspect of oncology. We assessed the efficacy of stents in the palliation of gastric outlet, duodenal and colonic obstruction. We undertook a retrospective study of 35 consecutive patients who were referred for stent insertion with palliative intent from June, 1999 to March, 2003. Thirty-two stents were successfully placed in 30 patients. Technical success rate was 86% (30/35 patients). Of the patients who had successful insertion, 83% had complete relief of symptoms. In 1 patient the stent failed to expand. There was no procedure related mortality. Median survival was 1.6 months (range, 0-14.8). The conclusion was that self-expandable metal stents provide an effective method of palliation in malignant gastrointestinal obstruction, with high clinical and technical success rates and low complication rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK. mikeokorie@aol.com
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Okorie
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: McCafferty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis