Community experience of colonic stenting in patients with acute large bowel obstructions

Self-expanding Metallic Stents in Acute Mechanical Intestinal Obstructions Resulting from Colorectal Malignancies

Endoscopic colonic stenting with self-expanding metallic stents is now widely used to treat malignant large bowel obstruction, where temporary or permanent decompression of the large bowel is desired. The medical records of patients who underwent endoscopic colonic stenting for malignant large bowel obstruction between May 2004 and May 2011 were reviewed. Success rate, morbidity, and mortality rate along with patient characteristics were documented. Sixty-seven patients were included. The procedure was used as a bridge to surgery in 38 and as a palliative measure in 29. Success rate was 95.5 per cent. Perforation and reobstruction occurred in three and three patients, respectively. All of the patients who developed perforation or reobstruction underwent emergency surgery. Endoscopic stenting offers a safe and effective treatment option in patients with malignant large bowel obstruction with comparable outcomes.

Feasibility and safety of self-expandable metal stent in nonmalignant disease of the lower gastrointestinal tract

In recent years, self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) have been employed to treat benign gastrointestinal strictures secondary to several conditions: Acute diverticulitis, radiation colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and postanastomotic leakages and stenosis. Other applications include endometriosis and fistulas of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Although it may be technically feasible to proceed to stenting in the aforementioned benign diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract, the outcome has been reported to be poor. In fact, in some settings (such as complicated diverticulitis and postsurgical anastomotic strictures), stenting seems to have a limited evidence-based benefit as a bridge to surgery, while in other settings (such as endometriosis, IBD, radiation colitis, etc.), even society guidelines are not able to guide the endoscopist through decisional algorithms for SEMS placement. The aim of this narrative paper is to review the scientific evidence regarding the use of SEMSs in nonmalignant diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract, both in adult and pediatric settings.

[Transtumoral decompression in acute left-sided colonic obstruction]

AIM

To prove an effectiveness of transtumoral decompression in patients with acute malignant left-sided colonic obstruction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

154 patients with acute left-side colonic obstruction were enrolled. Patients were divided into 4 groups. In groups 1-3 (n=120) patients underwent surgery at the moment of colonic obstruction, in 34 patients obstruction was managed with transtumoral decompression followed by radical surgery. Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) were used in these patients. Radical and palliative procedures at the moment of colonic obstruction are associated with high rate of postoperative complications and mortality.

RESULTS

Transtumoral decompression in malignant colonic obstruction resolves the main objectives of complicated colonic cancer management: absence of surgical trauma, endotracheal narcosis, reduced risk of abdominal infection, possible multidisciplinary assessment of patient's status and preparation for radical surgery.

Systematic review of self-expanding stents in the management of benign colorectal obstruction

AIM

Colorectal obstruction due to benign disease is likely to become more prevalent. Self-expanding stents have been shown to be effective in reducing morbidity and allowing one-stage resection or improved palliation in colorectal cancer. This review assessed the use of self-expanding stents in benign colorectal obstruction.

METHOD

A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Keywords included: 'benign disease' 'colorectal obstruction', 'stent', 'endoprosthesis' and 'prosthesis' Original articles from all relevant listings were sourced. These were hand searched for further articles of relevance. The main outcome measures assessed were technical and clinical success, perforation, reobstruction and stoma avoidance in the bridge to surgery population.

RESULTS

The search strategy identified 130 articles; the 21 included studies yielded a pooled analysis of 122 patients. Diverticulitis was the predominant aetiology (66/122, 54%). Technical success was achieved in 115/122 (94%) and clinical success in 108/120 (87%) patients. Overall, the perforation rate was 12% (15/122) and the reobstruction rate was 14% (17/122). A stoma was avoided in 48% (23/48) of bridge to surgery patients. Perforation and stoma avoidance in the bridge to surgery group were worse with an aetiology of diverticulitis.

CONCLUSION

Complication rates in stenting for benign colorectal obstruction are higher than for malignant obstruction. On the basis of limited published evidence, stenting cannot be recommended for benign colorectal obstruction.

Self-expandable metallic stents in patients with stage IV obstructing colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to analyze the results of our experience with elective placement of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) in patients with stage IV obstructing colorectal cancer. A systematic review of the literature was also carried out to analyze the factors influencing the results of SEMS placement and to determine if there has been any improvement in the more recent period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The results of a personal series of 100 patients were analyzed. There was no case of mortality or major morbidity. The systematic review included 27 articles published from April 2007 to December 2011.

RESULTS

In our experience the technical success rate was 96% and the clinical success rate was 92%. During the follow-up period a repeat colonoscopy was needed in 31% of the patients for recurrent symptoms of obstruction due to fecal impaction (19%), tumor growth (8%), or stent dislodgment (4%). Review of the literature showed similar results, with a significant improvement in the reports of the last 6 years; procedures performed on an emergency basis had poorer results.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-expandable metallic stent placement offers a valid alternative to surgery in patients with obstructing stage IV colorectal cancer, but careful follow-up is required.