title: Comparison of self-expanding metal stents and urgent surgery for left-sided malignant colonic obstruction in elderly patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction is common in elderly patients and multiple treatment options exist. To date, the use of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) in elderly patients has not been adequately described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare mortality, avoidance of stoma, and short-term survival in elderly patients with malignant bowel obstruction treated with either colonic stenting or surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective review, elderly patients with acute left-sided colonic obstruction cancer underwent either insertion of a SEMS (n = 34) or primary surgery (n = 58). The two groups were compared for clinic variables, surgical procedures and outcome, acute mortality, and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups were similar in terms of age, sex, tumor distribution, ASA grade, and comorbidities. The SEMS were successful placed in 91% of patients,and surgery was effective in relieving obstruction in 100% of the patients. Primary anastomosis was 79% in the SEMS group compared to 47% in the primary surgery group (P = 0.002). Secondary reanastomosis was 31% in the primary surgery group but only 3% in the SEMS surgery group (P = 0.001). Patients in the SEMS group had less 30-day mortality compared to the primary surgery group (3% vs. 19%, P = 0.03). Postoperative complications were similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In elderly patients with acute left-sided colonic obstruction cancer due to colorectal cancer, SEMS provide an effective and safe therapeutic option compared to emergent surgery.
authors: Department of Surgery, The Six People Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 200233 Shanghai, China.
authors: Ming-Gao
authors: MG
authors: Guo
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Feng
authors: Qi
authors: Q
authors: Zheng
authors: Jian-Zhong
authors: JZ
authors: Di
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: You-Ben
authors: YB
authors: Fan
authors: Xin-Yu
authors: XY
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome