Treatment of malignant colonic obstructions with metal stents and laser

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined endoscopic therapy with self-expanding metallic endoprostheses and laser application in the management of malignant colonic obstruction.

Between March 1998 and September 2000, obstruction of the distal colon was diagnosed in a total of 11 patients (6 M, 5 F, age range: 67-87 years, mean: 73). The site of obstruction was located in the rectosigmoid colon (n = 6), in the sigmoid colon (n = 4) and in the descending colon (n = 1). The etiology of stenosis was colorectal adenocarcinoma (n = 8), ovarian cancer (n = 2) and infiltrating bladder carcinoma (n = 1). In all patients the tumor was considered non-resectable. Six patients had confirmed metastases, one refused colostomy and 4 were unable to undergo surgery. After radiological visualization of the proximal extent of the stricture, the stenosis was dilated with Savary-like (10 patients) and pneumatic balloon dilators (1 patient-descending colon).

Stents were placed successfully in 10 patients. Prostheses migration distal to lesion, into the sigmoid colon, was observed in one patient (bladder cancer). A mild autoresolved bleeding was observed in 8 patients. Five patients remained free of clinical colonic obstruction until their death, which occurred 6-16 weeks (mean: 10) after stent placement. A moderate non-occlusive ingrowth of tumor into the stent lumen was documented in the other 5 cases. These patients were treated with introspective application of Diomed laser in a total of 16 sessions (4120-12,476 Joules each session, mean: 6258, power 10-14 W, interval between 2 sessions 6 weeks) and died of progressive disease without clinical signs and endoscopic findings of reobstruction 22-56 weeks (mean: 32) after stent placement.

Metallic stent placement is an adequate palliative and cost-effective option, effective and save, in advanced colonic obstruction due to non-resectable tumors. It circumvents the need for colostomy and allows the patient a better quality of life. Delayed stent occlusion with tumor ingrowth requires a regular follow-up and can be treated with introspective laser ablation.