Purpose: To determine the efficacy of colorectal stents implanted through the anus for the treatment of acute intestinal occlusion before elective surgery.
Material and methods: 25 patients (3 females and 22 males) with a mean age of 62.5 years (range: 49-94), were diagnosed of lower intestinal occlusion due to neoplasm. In all cases, an expandable metallic stent was implanted through the anus during the first 24 h. X-ray studies, tumoral staging and surgical preparation were performed in all cases.
Results: Implantation of stent was successful in 23 patients (92%). Clinical improvement of intestinal occlusion was observed in 24 hours. Criteria of no-resectability were found in five patients (20%). The remaining patients (18 cases) were treated by tumoral resection and end-to-end anastomosis an average of 8.6 days there after. No complications were observed and the patients were discharged 8.3 days after surgery.
Conclusion: The implantation of colorectal stents before elective surgery constitutes a good alternative to surgery in the acute lower intestinal occlusion (left colon and rectum-sigmoid emergency).