title: Self-expandable metal stents for recurrent malignant obstruction after gastric surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is well known that endoscopic insertion of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) is safe and effective for the palliative treatment of malignant strictures involving the upper gastrointestinal tract. But, most previous studies focused on stent insertion for esophageal or gastroduodenal obstructions. Only a few cases of stent insertion for recurrent malignant obstruction after gastric cancer surgery have been reported in studies in fewer than 40 patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the placement of SEMS in patients with anastomotic recurrence after gastric cancer surgery and compare the clinical outcome according to stent and operation type.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were collected from 47 patients in whom SEMS were placed by endoscopic approach for recurrent malignant obstruction after gastric cancer surgery. Technical and clinical success and complications according to operation and stent type were evaluated. Also, Overall survival and stent patency rates were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stent placement was technically successful in 45 of the 47 patients (95.7%). After stent placement, 91.5% of the patients showed improvement in their dietary intake level. A statistically significant improvement in overall Gastric Outlet Obstruction Scoring System between pre- and postprocedure was noted (p<0.001). Stent failure occurred in 13 patients (stent migration: 4; tumor overgrowth: 1; tumor ingrowth: 8). The median survival and stent patency period were 101 days and 63 days, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SEMS insertion in patients with anastomotic recurrence of gastric cancer after gastric cancer surgery is technically feasible and clinically effective.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hong Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeong Youp
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seungmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Seung Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yong Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Si Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005763:Gastroenterostomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome