Objective: Application of SEMS in treating colorectal obstruction caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic tumours.
Methods: From December 2007 to February 2008 two patient underwent colorectal stenting. The first patient was affected by sigma neoplasia with multiple lung and liver metastases; the second one had a distal colonic obstruction caused by pelvic relapse of endometrial adenocarcinoma.
Results: In both patients successful decompression, defined as complete relief of bowel obstruction as judged by clinical symptoms and radiographic observation, was achieved. The first patient died 1 month later for disease progression after the I cycle with Capecitabine. The second patient is undergoing the II cycle with Adriamicina and Cisplatino.
Discussion: In our experience no precocious or posthumous complications were observed and we evaluated that SEMSs are useful in both intrinsic and extrinsic colorectal malignancies.
Conclusions: SEMSs allow a rapid decompression, reduce the number of emergency surgical procedures--and also the need for stomas--in poor general condition patients, achieving a better quality of life for patient with a short estimated life and a one-stage elective surgery for patient with resectable disease.