Endoscopic stenting of acutely obstructing colorectal cancer: a 10-year review from a tertiary referral centre

Obstructing colorectal cancer: a population-based review of colonic stenting in Queensland, Australia

PURPOSE

Stenting is a useful treatment option for malignant colonic obstruction, but its role remains unclear. This study was designed to establish how stents have been used in Queensland, Australia, and to review outcomes.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Queensland from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2014, who underwent colonic stent insertion were reviewed. Primary outcomes of 5-year survival, 30-day mortality, and overall length of survival were calculated. The secondary outcomes included patient and tumor factors, and stoma rates.

RESULTS

In total, 319 patients were included, and distant metastases were identified in 183 patients (57.4%). The 30-day mortality rate was 6.6% (n=21), and the 5-year survival was 11.9% (n=38). Median survival was 11 months (interquartile range, 4-27 months). A further operation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.19; P<0.001) and chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (HR, 0.718; P=0.046) reduced the risk of 5-year mortality. The presence of distant metastases (HR, 2.052; P<0.001) and a comorbidity score of 3 or more (HR, 1.572; P=0.20) increased mortality. Surgery was associated with a reduced risk of mortality even in patients with metastatic disease (HR, 0.14; P<0.001). Twenty-two patients (6.9%) ended the study period with a stoma.

CONCLUSION

Colorectal stenting was used in Queensland in several diverse scenarios, in both localized and metastatic disease. Surgery had a survival advantage, even in patients with metastatic disease. There was no survival difference according to whether patients were socioeconomically disadvantaged, diagnosed in a major city or not, or treated at private or public hospitals. Stenting proved a valid treatment option with low stoma rates.

Therapeutic resolution of focal, predominantly anastomotic Crohn's disease strictures using removable stents: outcomes from a single-center case series in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Intestinal and anastomotic strictures in Crohn's disease (CD) produce considerable morbidity. The development of surgery-sparing, endoscopic modalities for stricture resolution is essential. Removable stent therapy is emerging as an efficacious and safe means of stricture resolution. We present outcomes from the largest, single-center series of patients with CD undergoing removable self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) therapy to resolve focal intestinal strictures.

METHODS

Patients with symptomatic CD were assessed with magnetic resonance enterography. Short (≤6 cm), fibrostenotic strictures of the terminal ileum or ileocolonic anastomoses were considered by a multidisciplinary team and put forward for stent therapy. Strictures were examined endoscopically and impassable strictures were treated with SEMSs. The Hanaro HRC-20-080-230 partially covered SEMS was used for all patients. Endoscopically inaccessible or inflammatory strictures were excluded. Stent retrieval was scheduled for 7 days after insertion. Therapeutic benefit was assessed with validated inflammatory bowel disease scoring tools.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients underwent 23 stent episodes, with 2 patients requiring repeat therapy in the follow-up period. Most treated strictures were anastomotic (19 of 21); 2 of 21 were de novo. Of those patients attending follow-up, 81% (13 of 16) reported symptom improvement or resolution; 88% (14 of 16) were in clinical remission at follow-up. Across all stent episodes, only 5 adverse events were noted (2 episodes of stent-related discomfort, 3 asymptomatic stent migrations). There were no direct stent-related adverse events such as perforation, impaction, or bleeding. No patient has required stricture-related surgery in the follow-up period (range, 3-50 months).

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, removable SEMS therapy for ileal and anastomotic strictures was found to be clinically efficacious. The absence of perforation events and need for stricture-related surgery are noteworthy. These results suggest that the efficacy of stent therapy in this context merits powered, head-to-head investigation with other modalities for stricture resolution.

Colorectal stenting in England: a cross-sectional study of practice

INTRODUCTION

UK and European guidelines recommend consideration of a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) as an alternative to emergency surgery in left-sided colonic obstruction. However, there is no clear consensus on stenting owing to concern for complications and long-term outcomes. Our study is the first to explore SEMS provision across England.

METHODS

All colorectal surgery department leads in England were contacted in 2018 and invited to complete an objective multiple choice questionnaire pertaining to service provision of colorectal stenting (including referrals, time, location and specialty).

RESULTS

Of 182 hospitals contacted, 79 responded (24 teaching hospitals, 55 district general hospitals). All hospitals considered stenting, with 92% performing stenting and the remainder referring. The majority (93%) performed fewer than four stenting procedures per month. Most (96%) stented during normal weekday hours, with only 25% stenting out of hours and 23% at weekends. Compared with district general hospitals, a higher proportion of teaching hospitals stented out of hours and at weekends. Stenting was performed in the radiology department (64%), the endoscopy department (44%) and operating theatres (15%), by surgeons (63%), radiologists (60%) and gastroenterologists (48%). A radiologist was present in 66% of cases. Of 14 hospitals that received referrals, 3 had a protocol, 3 returned patients the same day and 4 returned patients for management in the event of failure.

CONCLUSIONS

All responding hospitals in England consider the use of SEMS in colonic obstruction. Nevertheless, there is great variation in stenting practices, and challenges in terms of access and expertise. Centralisation and regional referral networks may help maximise availability and expertise but more work is needed to support this.

Endoscopic Stenting for Colorectal Cancer: Lessons Learned From a 15-Year Experience

GOAL

The aim of our prospective study was to analyze the results of endoscopic stenting to treat obstruction due to colorectal cancer and complications after colorectal resection for cancer.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic stenting for obstructing colorectal cancer has become a common place in clinical practice. However, there is a 2% to 5% risk of bowel perforation, and a percentage of technical failure of 2% to 10%.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a 15-year period (August, 1999 to December, 2013), 153 patients with colorectal cancer had endoscopic placement of a self-expandable metal stent for treatment of an obstructing colorectal cancer (133 patients) or for treatment of complications after colorectal resection for cancer (20 patients). They were prospectively evaluated in a database and they form the basis of this report.

RESULTS

There was no case of mortality or major morbidity. Overall technical success was 94.8%. After introducing the use of a pediatric nasogastroscope to pass the obstruction (71 patients), technical success was 100%. Complications in patients in whom the stent was left in place during the follow-up were frequent, requiring a close observation. We had 20 patients with fecal obstruction, 4 cases of stent dislodgment, and 8 cases of obstruction from ingrowth of the tumor. All patients were treated successfully endoscopically.

CONCLUSIONS

Placement of self-expandable metal stents represents a valid technique. A proper training is required.