Objective: Several endoscopic procedures have been used to avoid a colostomy in palliative treatment of occlusive colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate in intent to treat the long term effectiveness and safety of self-expanding metal stents as a palliative treatment in patients with neoplastic colonic obstruction.
Patients and methods: From December 1997 to June 2000, seventeen patients were treated with 21 colonic stents. Sites of obstruction were high rectum in 3, sigmoid in 11 and left colon in 3.
Results: Stent placement was successful in 16/17 patients (94%). Relief of bowel obstruction occurred in 13 patients (74%) in the first 48 hours. Expandable metal stent achieved an effective bowel transit until death in 9 of the 17 patients (53%). Clinical complications occurred in 6 patients (35%): 2 perforations, 2 migrations, 1 rectal bleeding and 1 dislocation of the stent. Subsequent colostomy was done in 5 patients.
Conclusion: Colonic stenting is an alternative palliative treatment in malignant colorectal stricture. However, morbidity and need for subsequent colostomy should be taken into account.