Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of self-expanding metallic stents as a palliative treatment for malignant obstruction of the colon and rectum.
Methods: The insertion of self-expanding metallic stents was attempted for palliation in 52 patients (33 males; mean age, 66.5 +/- 16.4 years) with colorectal obstruction caused by advanced malignancies. The stents were inserted under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. The data on the success of the procedure, the complications, and the outcomes of the patients were collected prospectively.
Results: Thirty patients had locally advanced or disseminated primary colorectal cancers, and 22 had recurrent cancer of colorectal or other primaries. Successful insertion of the stent was achieved in 50 patients. The median survival of the patients was 88 (range, 3-450) days. Complications occurred in 13 patients (25 percent). These included perforation of the colon (n=1), migration or dislodgement of the stents (n=8), severe tenesmus (n=1), colovesical fistula (n=1), and tumor ingrowth (n=2). Insertion of a second stent was required in eight patients. Subsequent operations were performed in nine patients, and stoma creation was required in seven patients.
Conclusions: Self-expanding metallic stents are highly effective in relieving malignant colorectal obstruction. The complication rate is acceptable and palliation can be achieved in the majority of the patients without a stoma.