Aim: To assess the outcomes of preoperative colonic stent placement for obstructive colorectal cancer.
Patients and methods: A total of 30 patients with colorectal cancer were treated after preoperative colonic metallic stent placement between July 2012 and March 2014. We reviewed their medical records to assess the usefulness of stent placement and the clinical course. The effects of various clinicopathological variables on post-operative complications were analyzed statistically.
Results: Stent insertion was effective in 93% of the 30 patients with obstructive colorectal cancer. Preoperative colonoscopy or enema for proximal colonic survey was possible in 70% of the patients after stent placement; colonic lesions requiring simultaneous resection were noted in 5 patients (24%). The mean interval between stent insertion and operation was 19 days, and 23%of the patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. Statistical analysis revealed that the occurrence of complications was associated with laparoscopic surgery and the amount of operative blood loss.
Conclusion: Preoperative stent placement in patients with obstructive colorectal cancer is feasible and laparoscopic surgery can be selected after stent placement.