Management of acute malignant large-bowel obstruction with self-expanding metal stent

Efficacy and Safety of Fluoroscopy-Guided Self-Expandable Metal Stent Placement for Treatment of Malignant Colorectal Obstruction

AIM

To investigate long-term outcomes after SEMS insertion in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction and to identify the risk factors for complications.

METHODS

The data of 119 patients with malignant colorectal obstruction who received SEMS insertion between March 2014 and February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the intent of treatment, i.e., stenting as "bridge to surgery" (surgical group) and stenting for palliation (palliative group). Technical and clinical success rates and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The overall technical and clinical success rates were 97.5% and 96.6%, respectively. The technical and clinical success rates and complication rate were comparable between the two groups. In the palliative group, the mean stent patency time was 230 days. Patency rates were not significantly different between primary CRC and recurrent CRC. Incidence of complications was higher in the palliative group than in the surgical group. In multivariate analysis, chemotherapy before stent implantation may increase the risk of stent-related complications, whereas chemotherapy after stent implantation did not. Additionally, the factors independently associated with complications were female sex and preoperative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

SEMS under fluoroscopic guidance is a safe and effective treatment for malignant colorectal obstruction. For patients with resectable CRC, stent placement can serve as a bridge to elective surgery. It is worth noting that adjuvant chemotherapy between SEMS and surgery did not increase the complications. For patients with recurrent CRC, stent placement can relieve symptoms, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life.

Definition of large bowel obstruction by primary colorectal cancer: A systematic review

AIM

Controversies on therapeutic strategy for large bowel obstruction by primary colorectal cancer mainly concern acute conditions, being essentially different from subacute obstruction. Clearly defining acute obstruction is important for design and interpretation of studies as well as for guidelines and daily practice. This systematic review aimed to evaluate definitions of obstruction by colorectal cancer in prospective studies.

METHOD

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Eligibility criteria included randomized or prospective observational design, publication between 2000 and 2019, and the inclusion of patients with an obstruction caused by colorectal cancer. Provided definitions of obstruction were extracted with assessment of common elements.

RESULTS

A total of 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 99 prospective observational studies were included. Obstruction was specified as acute in 28 studies, complete/emergency in five, (sub)acute or similar terms in four and unspecified in 78. Five of 16 RCTs (31%) and 37 of 99 cohort studies (37%) provided a definition. The definitions included any combination of clinical symptoms, physical signs, endoscopic features and radiological imaging findings in 25 studies. The definition was only based on clinical symptoms in 11 and radiological imaging in six studies. Definitions included a radiological component in 100% of evaluable RCTs (5/5) vs. 54% of prospective observational studies (20/37, P = 0.07).

CONCLUSION

In this systematic review, the majority of prospective studies did not define obstruction by colorectal cancer and its urgency, whereas provided definitions varied hugely. Radiological confirmation seems to be an essential component in defining acute obstruction.

Self-Expanding Metallic Stents for the Management of Emergency Malignant Large Bowel Obstruction: a Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

This paper evaluates the safety and effectiveness of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) for the management of emergency malignant colorectal obstruction in patients otherwise requiring multi-stage surgery. No systematic review has been conducted comparing SEMS to only multi-stage surgery.

METHODS

Bibliographic databases, including Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL, were searched in September 2011 and repeated in November 2013. A pre-determined protocol outlined the study inclusion and appraisal.

RESULTS

Forty articles were included, seven compared SEMS to multi-stage surgery. Included studies were of low to moderate quality. Bowel perforation was the most severe stent-related complication, while tumor- and stent-related events occurred most frequently. No significant differences in rates of obstruction relief were reported between treatments, and results regarding relative quality of life were inconclusive. SEMS recipients progressed to elective surgery sooner and required shorter post-procedural hospital stays, but commonly required re-intervention. SEMS provided enduring palliative relief of obstruction, with comparable survival longevity between treatments. Conclusion: SEMS placement is a viable alternative to multi-stage surgery, providing patients with benefits as a bridge-to-surgery and relief of obstruction in a palliative context, with minimal differences in clinical success and safety compared to multi-stage surgery.

Palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction with simultaneous endoscopic insertion of afferent and efferent jejunal limb enteral stents in patients with recurrent malignancy

BACKGROUND

Patients with prior pancreaticobiliary or distal gastric cancer treated surgically may have local anastomotic recurrence with obstruction of the afferent and efferent jejunal limbs. This report describes the efficacy and safety of simultaneous endoscopic insertion of self-expanding metal stents into the afferent and efferent jejunal limbs in patients with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) of post-surgical anatomy for palliation of recurrent malignancy.

METHODS

Patients were identified from an endoscopic database at a specialized cancer center between September 2007 and March 2014. Technical success was defined as single-session insertion of afferent and efferent jejunal limb enteral stents. Clinical success was defined as immediate symptom relief and ability to advance diet. A durable response was defined as symptom relief of at least 60 days or until hospice placement or death.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients were identified who underwent insertion of two 22-mm-diameter uncovered duodenal stents. Stent length varied from 60 to 120 mm. Stents were placed under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. Three patients required balloon dilation to facilitate stent insertion. Average procedure time was 58.8 min (range 28-120). Technical success was achieved in 23/24 (96%) patients. Clinical success was achieved in 19/23 (83%) patients. Following initial stent insertion and prior to subsequent re-intervention, 11/19 (58%) patients had a durable response with a median duration of 70 days (range 4-315). Eight (42%) patients underwent subsequent re-intervention at a median of 22 days (range 11-315). Five patients had stent revision and were able to tolerate oral intake. Two patients had percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy insertion. One patient required surgical diversion for persistent obstruction. Complications included stent migration and post-stent insertion bacteremia due to food bolus obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrent malignant GOO in patients with post-surgical anatomy treated with simultaneous endoscopic enteral stenting of afferent and efferent jejunal limbs has a high rate of technical and clinical success and low rate of complications and provides effective palliation.

Outcomes for patients with obstructing colorectal cancers treated with one-stage surgery using transanal drainage tubes

BACKGROUND

Acute colorectal obstruction requires immediate surgical treatment. Although one-stage surgery with transanal drainage tubes (TDT) is reportedly safe and feasible, the long-term outcome of this procedure remains unclear.

AIM

To assess the outcome of one-stage surgery using TDT in the acute left colon or rectal obstructions due to colorectal carcinomas.

METHODS

Clinicopathological data were recorded from patients with colorectal cancer with acute obstructions between 2006 and 2013.

RESULTS

A total of 43 patients were enrolled including 29 males and 14 females. Among 39 patients, TDT was successful in 33 (84 %) and was incomplete in 6. Thus, 33 patients received one-stage surgery with TDT decompression, and 9 patients, including 6 with incomplete decompression, received one-stage surgery with no decompression. No significant differences in clinicopathological factors were observed between decompression and non-decompression groups. Adjusted analyses revealed that decompression using TDT was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio 0.24; 95 % confidence interval, 0.08-0.72; p = 0.01). Furthermore, OS in the TDT decompression group was significantly longer than that in the non-decompression group (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

One-stage surgery with decompression using TDT may be effective to avoid stomas and to improve overall survival in patients with obstructing colorectal cancers.

Perforation in colorectal stenting: a meta-analysis and a search for risk factors

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that there is a substantial risk of perforation after colorectal stent placement.

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for perforation from colonic stenting.

DESIGN

A meta-analysis of 86 studies published between 2005 and 2011.

SETTING

Multicenter review.

PATIENTS

All patients who underwent colorectal stent placement.

INTERVENTION

Colorectal stent placement.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The occurrence of perforation with subgroup analyses for stent design, stricture etiology, stricture dilation, and concomitant chemotherapy, including the use of bevacizumab.

RESULTS

A total of 4086 patients underwent colorectal stent placement; perforation occurred in 207. Meta-analysis revealed an overall perforation rate of 7.4%. Of the 9 most frequently used stent types, the WallFlex, the Comvi, and the Niti-S D-type had a higher perforation rate (>10%). A lower perforation rate (<5%) was found for the Hanarostent and the Niti-S covered stent. Stenting benign strictures was associated with a significantly increased perforation rate of 18.4% compared with 7.5% for malignant strictures. Dilation did not increase the risk of perforation: 8.5% versus 8.5% without dilation. The subgroup of post-stent placement dilation had a significantly increased perforation risk of 20.4%. With a perforation rate of 12.5%, bevacizumab-based therapy was identified as a risk factor for perforation, whereas the risk for chemotherapy without bevacizumab was 7.0% and not increased compared with the group without concomitant therapies during stent therapy (9.0%).

LIMITATIONS

Heterogeneity; a considerable proportion of data is unavailable for subgroup analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The perforation rate of colonic stenting is 7.4%. Stent design, benign etiology, and bevacizumab were identified as risk factors for perforation. Intraprocedural stricture dilation and concomitant chemotherapy were not associated with an increased risk of perforation.

Comparison of NCCN, NICE and Chinese Ministry of Health guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies in China. With the increasing in the incidence of CRC in recent years, standardization of the diagnosis and treatment of CRC has attracted more and more attention from clinicians. Over the past years, although clinicians in China mainly refer to the NCCN guideline, the NICE guideline also attracts wide attention. In addition, the Chinese Ministry of Health guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC was issued on October, 2010. In this paper, we will compare and interpret the above three guidelines.

Clinical outcomes following secondary self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion due to previous stent migration in malignant colorectal obstruction

BACKGROUND

There has been no research on the clinical outcomes of secondary self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement after initial stent migration. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of secondary SEMS placement after initial stent migration compared to the outcomes of secondary SEMS placement done for reasons other than migration and identify factors predictive of long-term outcomes.

METHODS

Between January 2005 and February 2011, a total of 422 patients underwent SEMS insertion for malignant colorectal obstruction at Severance Hospital. Of these, there were 98 cases of secondary SEMS placement, 38 of which were due to previous stent migration. We compared the clinical outcomes of secondary SEMS between stent migration and nonmigration groups. We also sought to identify risk factors for long-term outcomes of secondary SEMS after initial stent migration.

RESULTS

The baseline clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. The technical and clinical success rates of secondary SEMS insertion in the migration and nonmigration groups were 94.7% and 83.3% (p = 0.09) and 73.7% and 53.3% (p = 0.122), respectively. In the migration group, sustained clinical success after secondary SEMS was associated with the absence of complications after insertion of the first stent (p < 0.001) and a longer time interval (more than 100 days) between the first and second stent insertion (p = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed that secondary colorectal SEMS after stent migration is safe and effective. Moreover, the sustained clinical success of the secondary stent following migration was dependent on the outcomes of the first stent.

Outcomes of secondary stent-in-stent self-expandable metal stent insertion for malignant colorectal obstruction

BACKGROUND

Although self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are widely used for the treatment of malignant colorectal obstruction, they often become occluded by tumor ingrowth.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the therapeutic effectiveness of secondary stent-in-stent SEMS insertion for the management of occluded SEMS in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction and to identify predictive factors associated with clinical outcomes in terms of immediate clinical success, stent patency, and complications.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

SETTING

A tertiary-care academic medical center in South Korea.

PATIENTS

Between November 2005 and July 2010, among a total of 309 patients who underwent SEMS insertion for unresectable malignant colorectal obstruction at Severance Hospital, 87 underwent secondary SEMS insertion. Of these, 36 patients underwent secondary SEMS placement as stent-in-stent.

INTERVENTIONS

Placement of secondary colorectal stent-in-stent SEMSs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Immediate and long-term clinical success and complications.

RESULTS

Immediate clinical success was achieved in 27 of 36 patients (75%), and the median duration of stent patency was 170 days. Factors associated with immediate clinical success included a long duration between the previous stent and stent-in-stent insertion. Moreover, the absence of carcinomatosis was associated with long-term clinical success.

LIMITATIONS

This was a retrospective, nonrandomized, single-center study.

CONCLUSIONS

Secondary stent-in-stent SEMS placement led to good outcomes in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction, despite a slightly lower success rate compared with primary SEMS placement. Patency duration of the primary SEMS and carcinomatosis were important factors predictive of immediate and long-term clinical success of stent-in-stent insertion, respectively.

Colonic perforation after stent placement for malignant colorectal obstruction--causes and contributing factors

Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are used to manage malignant colorectal obstruction. Colonic perforation is the most worrisome complication from colonic stenting. We reviewed causes and contributing factors of perforation with colonic stent placement in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction. Articles from both English and foreign language publications were identified from Medline. Data were collected on causes, timing, treatment and mortality related to perforation. A total of 2287 patients from 82 articles were included in this analysis, which showed an overall perforation rate of 4.9%. Perforation rates for palliation and bridge to surgery (BTS) were not significantly different (4.8% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.66); over 80% occurred within 30 days of stent placement (half during or within one day of the procedure). The mortality rate related to perforation was 0.8% per stented patient, but the mortality of patients experiencing perforation was 16.2%. There was no significant difference (p = 0.78) in the mortality rates between the palliation and the BTS group and concomitant chemotherapy, steroids, and radiotherapy are risk factors of perforation. The overall perforation related mortality is far less than that of patients undergoing emergency surgery for bowel obstruction.

Efficacy and safety of colonic stenting for malignant disease in the elderly

BACKGROUND

Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) are an accepted palliation for malignant colorectal obstruction. Outcomes of stent insertion solely in older patients are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of SEMS insertion for malignant colorectal disease, in older versus younger patients.

METHODS

Forty-three patients were retrospectively identified as having undergone SEMS insertion for obstructing colorectal cancer. Of these, 24 were > or = 70 years of age (older patient group) and 19 were <70 years of age (younger patient group).

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in successful SEMS insertion between the groups (88% in older versus 100% in younger patients, p > 0.05). Furthermore, the complication rate was similar in both groups (12.5% versus 26%, p > 0.10). There was no difference in median survival (113 days versus 135 days, p > 0.09).

CONCLUSION

Colorectal stenting for malignant disease in older patients is both safe and effective with comparative success and complication rates to a younger population.

Endoscopic placement of self-expandable metal stents for malignant colonic obstruction: long-term outcomes and complication factors

BACKGROUND

Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are used for colonic obstruction palliatively and preoperatively.

OBJECTIVE

Determine long-term efficacy, incidence of complications, and risk factors of SEMS placement for colonic obstruction.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of SEMSs placed for malignant colorectal obstruction from 1999 to 2008.

SETTING

Tertiary-care center.

PATIENTS

This study involved 168 patients who underwent SEMS placement for palliation and 65 patients who underwent SEMS placement as a "bridge to surgery."

INTERVENTION

Colonic SEMS placement.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Stricture location, stent-induced complications, time to adverse events, need for reintervention.

RESULTS

Technical and immediate clinical success rates were 96% and 99% in the palliative group and 95% and 98% in the preoperative group. Forty-one patients (24.4%) in the palliative group had complications including perforation (9%), occlusion (9%), migration (5%), and erosion/ulcer (2%). Mean stent patency was 145 days in the palliative group. One hundred eight of 122 patients (88.5%) were free of obstruction from implantation until death. Preoperatively placed stents remained in situ for a mean of 25.4 days and remained patent until surgery in 73.8% of patients. Complications were present preoperatively in 23.1% of patients; 94% underwent elective colectomy. Univariate analysis identified males, complete obstruction, stent diameter < or = 22 mm, stricture dilation during SEMS insertion, and operator experience as significant risk factors for complication. In the palliative group, intraluminal lesions (27% vs 19%), bevacizumab (35% vs 23%), and distal colon placement of the stent (27% vs 13%) were also associated with higher complication rates as compared to extraluminal lesions, patients not treated with bevacizumab, and stents in the proximal colon, respectively. Bevacizumab therapy nearly tripled the risk of perforation.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective analysis, single institution.

CONCLUSION

Colorectal SEMS placement is relatively safe and effective but with a complication rate of nearly 25%. Patient characteristics and technical variables appear to affect the outcome of SEMS therapy.

Palliation of malignant rectal obstruction from invasive prostate cancer with multiple overlapping self-expanding metal stents

Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) are used for colonic neoplastic and extracolonic metastatic obstruction relief. Limited data exists on their use for locally invasive prostate cancer. We describe a unique approach using overlapping SEMS to alleviate a rectosigmoid obstruction from locally invasive prostate cancer. A patient with locally advanced prostate cancer presented with obstipation and lymphedema. Placement of overlapping rectosigmoid SEMS was performed, relieving the visualized rectosigmoid obstruction.

Effectiveness of stent placement for palliative treatment in malignant colorectal obstruction and predictive factors for stent occlusion

BACKGROUND

Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) for malignant colorectal obstruction is widely used in palliative treatment and as an alternative to surgery. The aims of this study are to evaluate the effectiveness of stent placement for palliative treatment and to identify the predictive factors associated with stent occlusion.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed in 55 patients who had undergone placement of an uncovered SEMS from February 2004 to April 2007 for palliative treatment of malignant colorectal obstruction with metastatic or locally advanced cancer that was surgically unresectable. We analyzed the technical and clinical outcomes of stent placement, complications related to the procedure, stent patency rate, and predictive factors associated with stent occlusion.

RESULTS

The causes of colorectal obstruction before stent placement were primary colorectal cancer in 42 patients and noncolorectal extrinsic cancer in 13 patients. The initial technical success rate was 98.2%, and the clinical success rate was 94.4%. Complications occurred in 17 patients (30.9%). These included stent occlusion (n = 8), migration (n = 6), bowel perforation (n = 1), stent distortion (n = 1), and fistula formation (n = 1). The mean and median stent patency periods were 184 days [95% confidence interval (CI), 137-230 days] and 141 days (95% CI, 69-213 days), respectively. The degree of expansion 48 h after stent placement was significantly better in the nonocclusion group than in the stent occlusion group. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, insufficient stent expansion (<70%) 48 h after stent placement was significantly associated with an increase in stent occlusion during the follow-up period (odds ratio, 12.55; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Uncovered SEMS placement is an effective palliative treatment for malignant colorectal obstruction. The degree of stent expansion 48 h after stent placement is significantly associated with the maintenance of stent patency and is a predictive factor for stent occlusion.

Fluoroscopically guided placement of self-expandable metallic stents and stent-grafts in the treatment of acute malignant colorectal obstruction

PURPOSE

To evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided placement of self-expandable metallic stents and stent-grafts for acute malignant colorectal obstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radiologic images and clinical reports of 42 patients (22 men, 20 women; age range, 28-93 years; median age, 65.5 years) who underwent fluoroscopically guided colorectal stent insertion without endoscopic assistance for acute malignant obstruction were reviewed retrospectively. Eighteen patients received bare stents as a bridge to surgery. Twenty-four patients received 27 insertions of either a bare stent (n = 15) or a stent-graft (n = 12) for palliation. The obstruction was located in the rectum (n = 8), sigmoid (n = 17), descending colon (n = 8), splenic flexure (n = 3), and transverse colon (n = 6).

RESULTS

Clinical success, defined as more than 50% dilatation of the stent with subsequent symptomatic improvement, was achieved in 41 of the 42 patients (98%). No major procedure-related complications occurred. Minor complications occurred in eight of the 45 procedures (18%). No perioperative mortalities occurred within 1 month after surgery. In the palliative group, the median stent patency was 62 days (range, 0-1,014 days). There was no statistically significant difference in stent patency between the bare stents (range, 0-855 days; median, 68 days) and stent-grafts (range, 1-1,014 days; median, 81 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Fluoroscopically guided placement of self-expandable metallic stents and stent-grafts for the relief of acute malignant colorectal obstruction was technically feasible without endoscopic assistance-even in lesions proximal to the splenic flexure and transverse colon-and clinically effective in both bridge to surgery and palliative management.

Clinical outcomes and patency of self-expanding metal stents in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction: a prospective single center study

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS

Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) have been used as a palliative treatment for malignant colorectal obstruction. However, the reports about primary stent patency rate and associated factors have been limited. This study was performed to evaluate clinical outcomes and factors associated with long-term complications and patency of SEMS in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent palliative endoscopic placement with uncovered SEMS for a malignant colorectal obstruction were prospectively enrolled at Seoul National University Hospital between April 2005 and August 2007.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients underwent 51 SEMS placements. Obstruction sites were rectum in 15 patients (30.6%), descending or sigmoid colon in 25 (51.0%), and transverse colon in nine (18.4%), respectively. The causes of obstruction were colorectal cancer in 36 patients (73.5%), direct invasion of gastric cancer in seven (14.3%) and others in six (12.2%). Technical success was achieved in 100% and clinical success in 86%, and there was one procedure-related perforation. Re-obstruction and migration occurred in 16% and 6%, respectively, during mean follow-up period of 331 days. Median stent patency duration was 204 days, and patency rates at 30, 90, and 180 days were 91.2%, 81.0%, and 53.3%, respectively, which was not associated with patient demographics, site of obstruction, or palliative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic SEMS placement is a safe and effective palliative treatment for malignant colorectal obstruction, and overall long-term complication and patency were favorable irrespective of the palliative chemotherapy.

Transanal endoscopic tube decompression of acute colonic obstruction: experience with 51 cases

BACKGROUND

Acute colorectal obstruction is a potentially life-threatening emergency that requires immediate surgical treatment. To avoid major postoperative complications, most surgeons advocate two-step surgery despite the increase in patient discomfort and cost. Various methods for performing one-step surgery have been reported including intraoperative colonic lavage, decompression with self-expandable metal stents, and transanal tube decompression.

METHODS

The authors present their experience performing transanal colonic decompression for 51 patients.

RESULTS

Endoscopic tube placement was successful for 43 (84%) of the 51 patients. The emergency clinical situation could be converted to semielective treatment in 37 cases (73%) (30 operations and 6 nonoperative interventions), and to an elective operation in 1 case. After successful colonic decompression, the rate of one-stage operations was 93% (28/30), as compared with 40% (4/10) if the decompression failed.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic tube decompression of acute colonic obstruction is an easy and cost-effective possibility for avoiding emergency operations with all their sequelae. Emergency surgery can be converted to semielective or elective surgery, markedly reducing the rate of staged operations.

Stents in the GI tract

The application of stents in the GI tract has expanded tremendously. Stent placement is the most frequently used treatment modality for palliating dysphagia from esophageal or gastric cardia cancer. Newly designed esophageal stents, including the Polyflex stent and the Niti-S double stent, have been introduced to reduce recurrent dysphagia owing to migration or nontumoral or tumor overgrowth. Stents are also the treatment of choice for esophagorespiratory fistulas, for proximal malignant lesions near the upper esophageal sphincter, for recurrent carcinoma after esophagectomy or gastrectomy and for sealing traumatic or iatrogenic nonmalignant ruptures, such as Boerhaave's syndrome and leakages following surgery. Stents in the latter patient group should be removed within 4-8 weeks after placement to prevent the formation of granulation tissue or hyperplasia at the stent ends. For gastric outlet obstruction, many case series have been published. Only two, small, randomized controlled trials have compared stent placement with gastrojejunostomy to date, and a large, randomized trial is currently being conducted in The Netherlands. Obstructive jaundice caused by a malignancy in the common bile duct can be treated effectively with plastic or metal stent placement. However, a prognostic score needs to be developed that guides a treatment decision towards using either of these stents. Finally, colonic stents are applied successfully for acute malignant obstruction as a 'bridge to surgery' in patients with tumors that are deemed to be resectable, or as a palliative treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease.

Colorectal stenting as an effective therapy for preoperative and palliative treatment of large bowel obstruction: 9 years' experience

BACKGROUND

Since their introduction, selfextending metal stents (SEMS) have established themselves as an option in the treatment of obstructive colorectal cancer. Thanks to stenting, patients traditionally treated with emergency surgery can now be converted to scheduled surgery with mechanical preparation of the colon and primary anastomosis. Stenting represents a valid one-step surgical alternative for intestinal obstruction of the colon.

METHODS

We performed a prospective study of 95 patients (mean age, 68 years; range 48-94) with large bowel obstruction due to colorectal cancer treated with SEMS placed under fluoroscopic guidance, some as a bridge to surgery (group A) and others with palliative intent (group B). Computed tomography was performed for diagnostic purposes and to study the extent of disease.

RESULTS

Treatment was palliative in 28 cases (group B) and as a bridge to surgery in 67 (group A). The latter group underwent mechanical preparation of the colon and elective surgery. No patients died as a result of the procedure. In 90 cases (95%), treatment was effective and the obstruction resolved. Complications were 4 cases of perforation, 1 of tenesmus, 4 obstructions and 4 migrations. In 7 cases, a second stent was inserted to allow subsequent scheduled surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-extending stents resolve colorectal cancer obstruction and allow optimal patient staging and scheduled surgical treatment. Stenting is also a useful option in advanced or irresectable tumors, avoiding the need for surgery and offering good palliation.

Preoperative colonic stenting: how, when and why?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute colonic obstruction due to malignancy is often a surgical emergency. Surgical decompression with colostomy with or without resection and eventual re-anastomosis has traditionally been the treatment of choice. These procedures have been associated with a significant morbidity and mortality rate. Preoperative colonic stenting is effective for decompressing the obstructed colon and may allow for surgery to be performed on an elective basis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although randomized clinical data are lacking, the role for preoperative stenting in the emergent management of acute malignant colonic obstruction has been supported by cost-effectiveness analysis studies and several pooled analyses that demonstrate efficacy and safety.

SUMMARY

This review evaluates the latest developments in colonic stent technology, indications for use in the preoperative setting, and evidence to support their use in this setting.