Purpose: We evaluated the operative outcomes of laparoscopic surgery following self-expandable metallic stent compared to one-stage emergency surgical treatment.
Methods: From April 1996 to October 2007, 95 consecutive patients with left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction were enrolled. Twenty-five patients were assigned to the preoperative stenting and elective laparoscopic surgical treatment group (SLAP) and 70 to the emergency open surgery with intraoperative colon lavage group (OLAV).
Results: Among the 25 patients in the SLAP group, a primary anastomosis was possible in all patients and a diverting stoma was needed in one patient. The operative time was shorter in the SLAP group (198.53 vs. 262.17 min, P = 0.002). Tumor size, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and pathological stage were similar in both groups. The rate of anastomotic failure was similar and postoperative complications occurred less in the SLAP group (5.9% vs. 31.4%, P = 0.034). The passage of flatus and oral intake were resumed earlier in the SLAP group (2.88 vs. 3.68 days, P = 0.046 and 5.18 vs. 6.65 days, P < 0.001, respectively). The postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the SLAP group (10 vs. 15.4 days, P = 0.013).
Conclusions: In patients with left-sided malignant colon and rectal obstruction, laparoscopic surgery after SEMS could be safely performed with successful early postoperative outcomes.