title: Palliation of malignant upper gastrointestinal obstruction with self-expandable metal stent.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the technical success, ability to eat, complications and clinical outcomes of patients with self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placed for malignant upper gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was collected retrospectively on patients who underwent SEMS placement for palliation of malignant upper GI obstruction by reviewing hospital charts from June 1998 to May 2011. Main outcome measurements were technical success, gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) score before and after treatment, complications, and survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 82 patients underwent SEMS placement with malignant upper GI obstruction. The initial SEMS placement was successful in 77 patients (93.9%). The mean GOOSS score was 0.56 before stenting and 1.92 (p < 0.001) after treatment. Complications arose in 12 patients (14.6%): stent migration in 1 patient (1.2%), perforation in 1 (1.2%), and obstruction of stent due to tumor ingrowth in 10 (12.2%). The median survival time after stenting was 52 days (6-445).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SEMS placement is an effective and safe treatment for palliation of malignant upper GI obstruction. It provides lasting relief in dysphagia and improves the QOL of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital, Kyoto 602-8026, Japan. s.morokawa.redcross@gmail.com
authors.forename: Soichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morikawa
authors.forename: Azumi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Kojiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakase
authors.forename: Kenjiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasuda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D041742:Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
chemical_list: D008670:Metals