Gastroduodenal stent placement versus surgical gastrojejunostomy for the palliation of gastric outlet obstructions in patients with unresectable gastric cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis

Stomach-partitioning versus conventional gastrojejunostomy for unresectable gastric cancer with gastric outlet obstruction: A propensity score matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

Stomach partitioning gastrojejunostomy (SPGJ) was introduced to deal with delayed gastric emptying (DGE). This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of SPGJ versus conventional gastrojejunostomy (CGJ).

METHOD

This cohort study analyzed 108 patients who underwent gastrojejunostomy for unresectable gastric cancer: 70 patients underwent SPGJ, and 38 patients underwent CGJ between 2018 and 2022. Propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was used to balance the baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

After PSM, there were 26 patients in each group. SPGJ group had significantly lower incidence of DGE (3.8% vs. 34.6%), vomiting (3.8% vs. 42.3%), and prokinetics requirement (11.5% vs. 46.2%). SPGJ group had significantly shorter time to solid diet tolerance (4.1 days vs. 5.7 days) and postoperative hospital stay (7.7 days vs. 9.3 days). There was no significant difference in relapse reinterventions, gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) recurrence, conversion surgery, and survival outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

SGPJ was associated with lower rate of DGE, prokinetics requirement, and shorter time of solid diet tolerance compared to CGJ in the treatment of unresectable gastric cancer patients with GOO.

Efficacy and long-term prognosis of gastrojejunostomy for malignant gastric outlet obstruction: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastrojejunostomy (GJ) is becoming a standard surgical treatment for ameliorating malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO). However, data on the long-term outcomes of MGOO treatment are lacking. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare overall survival (OS) rates and subsequent anticancer treatment outcomes of GJwith other therapies in MGOO.

METHODS

We searched four electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from inception to August 1, 2022. Studies reporting OS associated with GJ versus other treatments for MGOO were selected. The study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary outcome assessed was OS, whereas the secondary outcome was subsequent anticancer treatment. We performed a Bayesian network meta-analysis to produce hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs).

RESULTS

We identified 24 retrospective studies that included 2473 patients. The studies assessed the outcomes of six treatments to alleviate MGOO. Results showed that GJ (hazard ratio: 0.83, 95% CrI: 0.78-0.88) was the most effective treatment for patients with MGOO, with the greatest surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values (79.9%) versus non-resection, palliative chemotherapy (13.9%) in terms of OS. Similarly, GJ (SUCRA: 46.5%) improved subsequent anticancer treatment requirements, ranking second only to jejunostomy/gastrostomy (JT/GT) (SUCRA: 95.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that GJ improves OS and follow-up treatments versus other non-resection treatments in patients with MGOO. These findings may serve for selecting appropriate therapy for MGOO.

Radiofrequency ablation via an implanted self-expandable metallic stent to treat in-stent restenosis in a rat gastric outlet obstruction model

Background: In-stent restenosis caused by tissue hyperplasia and tumor growth through the wire meshes of an implanted self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) remains an unresolved obstacle. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of SEMS-mediated radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating stent-induced tissue hyperplasia in a rat gastric outlet obstruction model. Methods: The ablation zone was investigated using extracted porcine liver according to the ablation time. The optimal RFA parameters were evaluated in the dissected rat gastric outlet. We allocated 40 male rats to four groups of 10 rats as follows: group A, SEMS placement only; group B, SEMS-mediated RFA at 4 weeks; group C, SEMS-mediated RFA at 4 weeks and housed until 8 weeks; and group D, SEMS-mediated RFA at 4 and 8 weeks. Endoscopy and fluoroscopy for in vivo imaging and histological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed to compare experimental groups. Results: Stent placement and SEMS-mediated RFA with an optimized RFA parameter were technically successful in all groups. Granulation tissue formation-related variables were significantly higher in group A than in groups B-D (all p < 0.05). Endoscopic and histological findings confirmed that the degrees of stent-induced tissue hyperplasia in group D were significantly lower than in groups B and C (all p < 0.05). Hsp70 and TUNEL expressions were significantly higher in groups B-D than in group A (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: The implanted SEMS-mediated RFA successfully managed stent-induced tissue hyperplasia, and repeated or periodic RFA seems to be more effective in treating in-stent restenosis in a rat gastric outlet obstruction model.

Self-Expandable Electrode Based on Chemically Polished Nickel-Titanium Alloy Wire for Treating Endoluminal Tumors Using Bipolar Irreversible Electroporation

The application of irreversible electroporation (IRE) to endoluminal organs is being investigated; however, the current preclinical evidence and optimized electrodes are insufficient for clinical translation. Here, a novel self-expandable electrode (SE) made of chemically polished nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) alloy wire for endoluminal IRE is developed in this study. Chemically polished heat-treated Ni-Ti alloy wires demonstrate increased electrical conductivity, reduced carbon and oxygen levels, and good mechanical and self-expanding properties. Bipolar IRE using chemically polished Ni-Ti wires successfully induces cancer cell death. IRE-treated potato tissue shows irreversibly and reversibly electroporated areas containing dead cells in an electrical strength-dependent manner. In vivo study using an optimized electric field strength demonstrates that endobiliary IRE using the SE evenly induces well-distributed mucosal injuries in the common bile duct (CBD) with the overexpression of the TUNEL, HSP70, and inflammatory cells without ductal perforation or stricture formation. This study demonstrates the basic concept of the endobiliary IRE procedure, which is technically feasible and safe in a porcine CBD as a novel therapeutic strategy for malignant biliary obstruction. The SE is a promising electrical energy delivery platform for effectively treating endoluminal organs.

Gastric transcatheter chemoembolization can resolve advanced gastric cancer presenting with obstruction

Background

Gastric transcatheter chemoembolization (GTC) is an interventional minimal invasive method, which has never been mentioned in the previous literature for advanced gastric cancer with obstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its safety and efficacy in treating advanced gastric cancer with obstruction.

Methods

Advanced gastric cancer patients with obstruction who underwent GTC were retrospectively analysed from June 2017 to January 2020. Baseline information, peri-intervention data, and post-intervention follow-up information were collected. Clinical data obtained before and after the GTC were compared, and the survival of all patients was analysed.

Result

Forty-Two patients were included in this study. 42 (100%) patients achieved technical success, and 22 (52.4%) achieved clinical success. The median time of the GTC was 83 (30.0–180.0) minutes, and the median time of hospitalization after GTC was 3 (1–6) days. One patient experienced abdominal pain during and after GTC. Twenty (47.6%) of the 42 patients underwent gastrectomy after intervention. The pre-intervention gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) was 1 (0–1) and the post-intervention GOOSS was 2 (0–3) (p = 0.000 < 0.05). The median follow-up time was 9.5 (3–35) months, and the overall survival time was 14 months. In the univariate survival analysis, a significant difference was observed between patients who did or did not undergo radical gastrectomy after GTC (p = 0.014 < 0.05).

Conclusions

GTC is a safe and effective treatment, and furthermore, it could be an alternative method in treating advanced gastric cancer with obstruction.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic duodenal stent versus endoscopic or surgical gastrojejunostomy to treat malignant gastric outlet obstruction: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims  Malignant disease accounts for up to 80 % of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) cases, which may be treated with duodenal self-expanding metal stents (SEMS), surgical gastrojejunostomy (GJ), and more recently endoscopic-ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE). These three treatments have not been compared head-to-head in a randomized trial. Methods  We searched the Embase and MEDLINE databases for studies published January 2015-February 2021 assessing treatment of malignant GOO using duodenal SEMS, endoscopic (EUS-GE) or surgical (laparoscopic or open) GJ. Efficacy outcomes assessed included technical and clinical success rates, GOO recurrence and reintervention. Safety outcomes included procedure-related bleeding or perforation, and stent-related events for the duodenal SEMS and EUS-GE arms. Results  EUS-GE had a lower rate of technical success (95.3%) than duodenal SEMS (99.4 %) or surgical GJ (99.9%) ( P  = 0.0048). For duodenal SEMS vs. EUS-GE vs. surgical GJ, rates of clinical success (88.9 % vs. 89.0 % vs. 92.3 % respectively, P  = 0.49) were similar. EUS-GE had a lower rate of GOO recurrence based on limited data ( P  = 0.0036), while duodenal SEMS had a higher rate of reintervention ( P  = 0.041). Overall procedural complications were similar (duodenal SEMS 18.7 % vs. EUS-GE 21.9 % vs. surgical GJ 23.8 %, P  = 0.32), but estimated bleeding rate was lowest ( P  = 0.0048) and stent occlusion rate was highest ( P  = 0.0002) for duodenal SEMS. Conclusions  Duodenal SEMS, EUS-GE, and surgical GJ showed similar clinical efficacy for the treatment of malignant GOO. Duodenal SEMS had a lower procedure-related bleeding rate but higher rate of reintervention.

Comparison of gastrojejunostomy to endoscopic stenting for gastric outlet obstruction: An updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the optimal intervention modality for malignant GOO by comparing clinical outcomes after Gastrojejunostomy and endoscopic stenting.

METHODS

Two authors independently searched Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for articles before February 2021 to compare the clinical outcomes of GOO patients undergoing GJ or ES.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included 31 articles with 2444 GOO patients. Although the GJ group outperformed the ES group in technical success (OR,3.79; P = 0.003), clinical success was not significantly different between the two groups (OR,1.25; P = 0.50). The GJ group had a longer hospitalization, lower re-obstruction and lower reintervention. Moreover, GJ had a better survival than ES in the gastric cancer group (HR, 0.33; P = 0.009). However, no significant statistical difference was observed in the pancreatic cancer group (HR, 0.55; P = 0.159).

CONCLUSIONS

Both GJ and ES are safe and effective intervention modalities for malignant GOO. GJ had significantly improved survival in gastric cancer patients with GOO, while no significant difference was observed between the two groups in pancreatic cancer patients with GOO.

Recent Updates in Gastrointestinal Stent Placement from the Esophagus to the Colon: A Radiological Perspective

Fluoroscopic-guided stent placement has become an advantageous treatment option for diverse gastrointestinal disorders. In addition to palliative stent placement in patients with inoperable cancers, stenting has gradually expanded to other conditions, including as a bridge to surgery, as well as in patients' benign lesions and anastomotic strictures or leaks. This narrative review describes the indications, efficacy and safety of stent placement from the esophagus to the colon, including current recommendations, recent updates, and novel stents.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy using an oroenteric catheter-assisted technique: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND : This study evaluated an oroenteric catheter (OEC)-assisted technique to distend the enteric loop for endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) in patients with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). METHODS : Patient outcomes were reviewed. Proximal enteric loops were filled with water via an OEC (7 Fr or 8 Fr), providing a target for EUS-GE using a lumen-apposing metal stent (15-mm caliber). Clinical success was defined as toleration of a non-liquid diet by Day 3. RESULTS : 42 patients (mean age 73.1 [SEM 2.8] years; 23 male) underwent EUS-GE for malignant (n = 37) and benign (n = 5) duodenal strictures. EUS-GE creation was successful in 41/42 (98 %), with mean procedure time of 36 (SEM 3) minutes and no serious complications. Clinical success was achieved in 39/42 (93 %) at 5.7 (SEM 2.6) months' follow-up. Of 14 patients who died, 13 (93 %) maintained oral intake until death. EUS-GE provided good symptom relief in all 28 surviving patients until follow-up. CONCLUSIONS : OEC-assisted EUS-GE provided satisfactory relief of GOO symptoms, with high technical success (98 %) and no serious complications.

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy with a lumen apposing self-expandable metallic stent relieves gastric outlet obstruction - a Scandinavian case series

BACKGROUND

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) with lumen-apposing metallic stents (LAMS) in patients with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) has proven to be an alternative to luminal stenting in the duodenum and surgical gastroenterostomy. In severely ill patients, the method can provide improved quality of life (QoL) and symptom relief by restoration of the luminal passage of fluid and nutrients to the small intestine.

AIM

To assess the technical and clinical success and safety of EUS-GE.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A dual center retrospective case series of 33 consecutive patients with GOO due to malignant (n = 28) or non-malignant conditions (n = 5). The patients were treated with EUS-GE using cautery enhanced LAMS. Procedures were performed guided by EUS and fluoroscopy in general anesthesia or conscious sedation.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in all patients. The median procedure time was 71 min and the median hospital stay was three days. Thirty (91%) patients were able to resume oral nutrition after the procedure. Ten patients (30%) experienced adverse events (AEs), including migration of the stent, bleeding, and infection. Four patients had fatal AEs (12%). All stent-related AEs were handled endoscopically. Five patients (15%) needed re-intervention. The median survival time for patients with malignant obstruction was 8.5 weeks (0.5-76), and 13 patients with obstructing malignancies lived 12 weeks or longer.

CONCLUSION

EUS-GE is a minimally invasive and efficient method for restoration of the gastrointestinal passage and may improve palliative care for patients with GOO. The method has potential hazards and should only be offered in expert centers that regularly perform the procedure.

Treatment option of endoscopic stent insertion or gastrojejunostomy for gastric outlet obstruction due to gastric cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

There are currently two treatment options for gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) due to gastric cancer, endoscopic stenting and surgical gastrojejunostomy. However, their therapeutic effects have not yet been established. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine these effects.

METHODS

The Japanese Gastric Cancer Association invited its delegates to participate in a retrospective multicenter cohort study on patients with GOO due to gastric cancer who underwent stent therapy or gastrojejunostomy in 2015.

RESULTS

We obtained data from 85 patients undergoing stent therapy and 94 undergoing gastrojejunostomy from 42 hospitals. Baseline data revealed that stent patients had lower food intake, poorer performance status, and worse prognostic indices than gastrojejunostomy patients. Postoperative food intake and survival times were worse in stent patients than in gastrojejunostomy patients. We performed propensity score matching to select pairs of patients with similar baseline characteristics in the two treatment groups. After matching, the frequency of postoperative complications was significantly less in stent patients (3%, 1/33) than in gastrojejunostomy patients (21%, 7/34; p = 0.03). A low residue or full diet was achieved by 97% of stent patients (32/33) and 97% of gastrojejunostomy patients (33/34) (p = 0.98). Median survival times were 7.8 months in stent patients and 4.0 months in gastrojejunostomy patients (p = 0.38).

CONCLUSIONS

Propensity score matching demonstrated that endoscopic stent placement resulted in less postoperative morbidity than and a similar food intake and equivalent survival times to gastrojejunostomy. These results suggest the utility of stent therapy.

Natural history and cost analysis of surgical bypass versus endoscopic stenting for the palliative management of malignant gastric outlet obstruction

BACKGROUND

Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is managed with palliative surgical bypass or endoscopic stenting. Limited data exist on differences in cost and outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with malignant GOO undergoing palliative gastrojejunostomy (GJ) or endoscopic stent (ES) were identified between 2012 and 2015 using the MarketScan® Database. Median costs (payments) for the index procedure and 90-day readmissions and re-intervention were calculated. Frequency of treatment failure-defined as repeat surgery, stenting, or gastrostomy tube-was measured.

RESULTS

A total of 327 patients were included: 193 underwent GJ and 134 underwent ES. Compared to GJ, stenting resulted in lower total median payments for the index hospitalization and procedure-related 90-day readmissions ($18,500 ES vs. $37,200 GJ, p = 0.032). For patients treated with ES, 25 (19%) required a re-intervention for treatment-failure, compared to 18 (9%) patients who underwent GJ (p = 0.010). On multivariable analysis, stenting remained significantly associated with need for secondary re-intervention compared to GJ (HR for ES 2.0 [1.1-3.8], p 0.028).

CONCLUSION

In patients with malignant GOO, endoscopic stenting results in significant 90-day cost saving, however was associated with twice the rate of secondary intervention. The decision for surgical bypass versus endoscopic stenting should consider patient prognosis, anticipated cost, and likelihood of needing re-intervention.

Local Heat Treatment for Suppressing Gastroduodenal Stent-Induced Tissue Hyperplasia Using Nanofunctionalized Self-Expandable Metallic Stent in Rat Gastric Outlet Model

Despite the promising results from the placement of covered or uncovered self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) as a nonsurgical therapeutic option for the malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), the long patency of the stent is still limited because of stent-induced tissue hyperplasia. Here, a local heat treatment using a nanofunctionalized SEMS is proposed for suppressing stent-induced tissue hyperplasia during GOO treatment. Highly efficient photothermal gold nanoparticle (GNP) transducer-coated SEMSs (GNP-SEMSs) were prepared for local heat treatment in rat gastric outlet. The in vivo heating temperature in rat gastric outlet model was evaluated and compared with in vitro heating temperature. Three groups of our developed 45 rat gastric outlet models were used: group A, noncoated SEMS only; group B, GNP-SEMS plus local heating; and group C, GNP-SEMS only to investigate in vivo efficacy of GNP-SEMS mediated local heating. Ten rats per group were sacrificed for 4 weeks, and five rats per group were sacrificed immediately after local heat treatment. The in vivo heating temperature was found to be 10.8% lower than the in vitro heating temperatures. GNP-SEMSs were successfully placed through a percutaneous approach into the rat gastric outlet (n = 45). The therapeutic effects of GNP-SEMS were assessed by histologic examination including hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichrome, immunohistochemistry (TUNEL and CD31), and immunofluorescence (Ki67), and the results showed significant prevention of tissue hyperplasia following stent placement without adjacent gastrointestinal tissue damage. GNP-SEMS-mediated local heating could be an alternative therapeutic option for the suppression of tissue hyperplasia following stent placement in benign and malignant GOOs.

Complications and outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with gastric lesions treated with R-CHOP

Standard therapy for gastric diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is considered to be chemotherapy with or without involved‐field radiation therapy. Although R‐CHOP therapy alone is widely used for DLBCL with gastric lesions (DLBCL‐GL), the outcome and incidence of treatment‐related gastric complications following R‐CHOP are not well known. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome after R‐CHOP therapy in patients with gastric DLBCL including gastric complications and to identify risk factors for the complications. Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL‐GL treated with R‐CHOP between 2003 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. DLBCL‐GL was defined only when pathologically confirmed in the stomach. Of the 96 patients with DLBCL‐GL, 63 patients were diagnosed with gastric symptoms. Eighty‐eight patients (92%) completed six to eight cycles of R‐CHOP. The complete remission (CR) rate was 86%, and 3‐year and 5‐year overall survival rates were 80% and 73%, respectively. Patients were well stratified according to the Revised International Prognostic Index (R‐IPI). Complication rate was 8% (8/96); seven patients had bleeding and three had stenosis. No patients had gastric perforation. Bleeding occurred during the first cycle of R‐CHOP in five patients (5/7, 71%). Patients with gastric complications had a lower R‐CHOP completion rate (50%, P = 0.001) and a lower CR rate (25%, P < 0.001) than those without complications. A low serum albumin level at diagnosis was the only risk factor identified for gastric complications (P = 0.001) and six of the eight patients with complications were shown to be at stage IV. Further studies of DLBCL‐GL are warranted to identify patients at high risk for gastric complications and to provide better treatment strategies.

Fluoroscopic Gastroduodenal Stent Placement in 55 Patients with Endoscopic Stent Placement Failure

PURPOSE

To evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical effectiveness of fluoroscopic self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement in malignant gastroduodenal obstructions after failed endoscopic SEMS placement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between September 2010 and July 2017, 874 patients underwent endoscopic SEMS placement for dysphagia caused by malignant gastroduodenal obstructions. Endoscopic SEMS placement failed in 55 of 874 patients (6.3%). These patients were referred for fluoroscopic SEMS placement. In case of failed fluoroscopic SEMS placement, combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic SEMS placement was attempted at the same setting.

RESULTS

Fluoroscopic SEMS placement was technically successful in 40 of 55 patients (72.7%). Combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic SEMS placement was technically successful in 6 of 15 patients with fluoroscopic SEMS placement failure. Failures in the nine patients were due to complete obstruction (n = 5) and acute angulation at the stricture site (n = 4). The overall technical success rate was 83.6% (46/55). Clinical success was achieved in 95.6% of patients (44/46). Complications occurred in 7 of 46 patients (15.2%), including tumor overgrowth (n = 3), SEMS migration (n = 3), and bleeding (n = 1). The median SEMS patency and patient survival periods were 515 (95% confidence interval (CI), 266.6-761.5) and 83 (95% CI 60.6-105.4) days, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluoroscopic SEMS placement is technically feasible and clinically effective in cases of endoscopic SEMS placement failure. A combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic approach increases the technical success rate after failure of the endoscopic or fluoroscopic approach.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

3D-printed phantom study for investigating stent abutment during gastroduodenal stent placement for gastric outlet obstruction

Background

Placing a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is safe and effective for the palliative treatment of malignant gastroduodenal (GD) strictures. SEMS abutment in the duodenal wall is associated with increased food impaction, resulting in higher stent malfunction and shorter stent patency. The desire to evaluate the mechanism and significance of stent abutment led us to design an in vitro experiment using a flexible anthropomorphic three-dimensional (3D)-printed GD phantom model.

Results

A GD phantom was fabricated using 3D printer data after performing computed tomography gastrography. A partially covered (PC) or fully covered (FC) stent was placed so that its distal end abutted onto the duodenal wall in groups PC-1 and FC-1 or its distal end was sufficiently directed caudally in groups PC-2 and FC-2. The elapsed times of the inflowing of three diets (liquid, soft, and solid) were measured in the GD phantom under fluoroscopic guidance. There was no significant difference in the mean elapsed times for the liquid diet among the four groups. For the soft diet, the mean elapsed times in groups PC-1 and FC-1 were longer than those in groups PC-2 and FC-2 (P = 0.018 and P < 0.001, respectively). For the solid diet, the mean elapsed time in group PC-1 was longer than that in group PC-2 (P < 0.001). The solid diet could not pass in group FC-1 due to food impaction. The mean elapsed times were significantly longer in groups FC-1 and FC-2 than in groups PC-1 and PC-2 for soft and solid diets (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This flexible anthropomorphic 3D-printed GD phantom study revealed that stent abutment can cause prolonged passage of soft and solid diets through the stent as well as impaction of solid diets into the stent.

Recent advancements in stent therapy in patients with malignant gastroduodenal outlet obstruction

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is one of severe comorbidities caused by many kinds of malignant diseases and is associated with not only degradation of patients' quality of life but also mortality. Although surgical bypass is one of the main therapies for malignant GOO, it is often difficult to perform in end-stage patients. The deployment of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) has recently become a viable alternative to surgical bypass for malignant GOO. This technique is less invasive and more effective, particularly in patients with poor prognoses. Many reports have referred to the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of the placement of SEMSs for malignant GOO. According to these reports, the rates of technical and clinical success were reported to be relatively high and the rate of adverse events to be acceptable. However, precautions against severe adverse events such as massive bleeding and perforation are necessary. Several reports have described the differences in clinical results among different kinds of SEMSs. The presence of a covered design for SEMSs may affect the patency of SEMSs and the rate of stent dysfunction. Selection of the SEMS according to axial force may affect successful achievement of long patency of SEMSs and avoidance of gastroduodenal perforation at the bending site of the duodenum. Compared with high technical success rates nearing 100%, clinical success rates were usually lower than technical success. Therefore, determination of predictive factors for failure of clinical success is important. Several papers reported that low performance status could be associated with failure of clinical success. However, the association of clinical success with other factors such as carcinomatosa and ascites remains controversial, which is a problem to be solved. Reintervention with SEMS using the stent-in-stent method after stent dysfunction can be performed effectively as well as placement of the first SEMS.

Significance of Stent Abutment in Gastroduodenal Stent Placement for Gastric Outlet Obstructions

PURPOSE

To evaluate the frequency, severity, and clinical significance of stent abutment (SA) after gastroduodenal stent placement in patients with gastric outlet obstruction caused by unresectable gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in a single tertiary referral university hospital to identify the incidence and clinical significance of SA in 318 patients who underwent self-expandable metallic stent placement. SA was defined as abutment of the distal end of the stent to the duodenal wall and/or superior duodenal flexure. The outcomes included technical and clinical success, complications, repeat intervention, stent patency, and survival.

RESULTS

A total of 318 patients, 107 with SA (33.6%) and 211 without, were included. SA occurred partially (n = 64; 59.8%) and completely (n = 43; 40.2%). The technical and clinical outcomes and survival were similar in the groups with and without SA. Food impaction and resultant repeat intervention rates were higher in the SA group than in the non-SA group (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively), and were associated with complete SA (P = .007). Stent patency rate was lower in the SA group than in the non-SA group (P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

SA was associated with increased food impaction, resulting in a greater incidence of stent malfunction and shorter stent patency compared with a lack of SA. The concept of SA may be useful for the improvement of stent patency and avoidance of food impaction.

Palliative gastrojejunostomy versus endoscopic stent placement for gastric outlet obstruction in patients with unresectable gastric cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear whether selection of treatment modality affects the survival of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). We compared the effect of gastrojejunostomy (GJ) and endoscopic self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement on the long-term outcomes of patients with malignant GOO caused by unresectable gastric cancer.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective study of gastric cancer patients undergoing GJ or endoscopic SEMS placement for the palliation of malignant GOO. To reduce the effect of selection bias, we performed a propensity score-matching analysis between two groups.

RESULTS

In a propensity-matched analysis (45 and 99 in GJ and SEMS groups, respectively), clinical success rates were comparable between the GJ and SEMS groups (95.6 and 96.0%), while the SEMS group showed significantly shorter hospital stays than the GJ group. The GJ group showed a significantly longer reintervention period and overall survival (393 and 129 days) compared to the SEMS group. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, GJ, low ECOG scale (good performance status), and additional chemo- or radiation therapy were identified as independent favorable predictors of overall survival. GJ was also identified as an independent protective predictor against reintervention.

CONCLUSION

We found that palliative GJ was significantly associated with longer overall survival and lower risk of reintervention than SEMS placement in patients with malignant GOO caused by unresectable gastric cancer. Given very limited expected survival in selected patients with unresectable gastric cancer and more favorable short-term outcomes in cases of SEMS placement, individualized approach might be required in treatment decision between palliative GJ and SEMS placement.