We compared the utility of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) to that of colostomy in palliative care patients with malignant colorectal obstruction. The SEMS-related morbidity and mortality rates were 15.4% and 7.7% in 13 patients, respectively. The median time to first diet was significantly shorter after SEMS insertion than that after colostomy, (2 vs 6 days, respectively, p=0.0102). The postprocedure median length of hospital stay of the palliative care patients without followed chemotherapy was shorter after SEMS insertion than after colostomy (10 vs 23 days, respectively). The median time to chemotherapy administration was shorter after SEMS insertion than after colostomy (13 vs 29 days, respectively); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Insertion of SEMS should be considered as the first-line treatment for palliative care patients with malignant colorectal obstruction.