Background: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the endoscopic placement of autoexpandible metallic prostheses of the colon carried out in our department as palliative treatment in patients with colorectal stenosis of tumoral origin.
Patients and methods: From may, 1995 to august, 1998, autoexpandible metallic prostheses were placed in 14 patients (11 males and 3 females, mean age 64.5 years, range 41-92). All the patients presented tumoral stenosis by adenocarcinoma, 5 of which had been previously treated by surgery.
Results: All the stenoses were found in the rectum/sigma at less than 35 cm from the anal margin. In 7 patients endoscopic dilatation was performed prior to placement of the autoexpandible metallic prostheses. The prostheses used had a diameter of 18 mm and were of variable length. The placement of the prostheses was successfully achieved in all the patients except 2 (one due to technical difficulties and in the other because of early migration of the same, in both the autoexpandible metallic prostheses was placed without complications within 24 h). In two cases early complications were observed (14%): one case due to perforation and one to early migration. In two patients stenosis of the prostheses was observed during follow up and in a third patient late migration occurred.
Conclusions: Endoscopic placement of autoexpandible metallic prostheses in patients with colorectal stenosis of tumoral origin is a simple technique with few complications and may be used as a definitive palliative treatment in these patients.