[Treatment of gastroduodenal obstruction with self-expanding stent]

Self-expanding metal stents are used in some centres as non-surgical palliation for malignant gastric outlet obstruction as an alternative to surgery. No randomized studies exist comparing these two treatment modalities. Descriptive series have shown high success rates of 82-100% for stent placement, and 75-100% of the patients experience relief of the vomiting and ability to eat semisolid to solid food. Reobstruction was seen in about 15% of the patients requiring a second stenting. Serious complications to the stenting procedure have been reported in case studies. It is recommended to perform randomized studies of stenting versus open and laparoscopic surgical bypass for malignant gastric outlet obstruction.