Interdisciplinary Canadian guidelines on the use of metal stents in the gastrointestinal tract for oncological indications.
OBJECTIVE
To provide evidence-based guidelines regarding the appropriate use of gastrointestinal stents for oncologic indications. This document describes the use of gastrointestinal stents by appropriately trained physicians.


METHODS
This document is based on a review of the published evidence and supplemented by consensus expert opinion. Gastrointestinal stenting has been evaluated in terms of technical success, complications, patient satisfaction, clinical outcome, and cost-benefit analysis. This document was approved by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association; approval from the other relevant Canadian societies is pending.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastrointestinal stenting has a valuable role in the management of gastrointestinal malignancy. The decision to use such devices should be taken after comprehensive multidisciplinary clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic evaluation.
Baerlocher
Mark Otto
MO
Department of Radiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. mark.baerlocher@utoronto.ca
Asch
Murray R
MR
Dixon
Peter
P
Kortan
Paul
P
Myers
Andy
A
Law
Calvin
C
D000497:Alloys; D002170:Canada; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008670:Metals; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends
D000497:Alloys; D008670:Metals