title: A clinical evaluation of endoscopically placed self-expanding metallic stents in patients with acute large bowel obstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) have since 1991 established themselves as an option in the treatment of large bowel obstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of SEMS in management of acute colorectal obstructions at a Danish Surgical Gastroenterology center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of charts from all patients who, in the period Marts 2002 to December 2007 underwent insertion of a SEMS for an acute large bowel obstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 45 patients included, SEMS was intended as a bridge to surgery in 20 patients and as palliation in 25 patients. For malignant etiology, the SEMS procedure was a technical and clinical success in 97.4% of the cases. Complications occurred in 21%, mortality rate 2,6%. For benign etiology, the SEMS procedure was a technical success in 85.7%, and a clinical success in 71.4%. Complications occurred in 71.4% of the benign cases with a mortality rate of 28,6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placement of SEMS for acute large bowel obstruction with malignant etiology is an effective and safe procedure with low mortality and morbidity. However results for benign obstructions are questionable and more research is needed to determine the role of SEMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology Z, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark. hcpommergaard@gmail.com
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Pommergaard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vilmann
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Achiam
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003718:Denmark; D004724:Endoscopy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome