The authors report on their experience in the treatment with self-expanding enteral stent for acute left-sided large bowel obstruction and believe that this procedure is effective as a "bridge to surgery". From January to November 2005 3 patients have been treated with colorectal stents in obstructing left-sided large bowel carcinoma: over the following 24 hours we observed canalization and consequent disocclusion of the colonrectum. Stented patients were treated with elective colonic resection with primary anastomosis avoiding decompressive stoma and Hartmann's procedure.