Enteral stenting in 21 patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstruction

Placement of an enteral stent is emerging as an effective alternative to surgery for symptomatic relief in patients with malignant gastric outflow and duodenal obstruction. We report experience in a series of patients who had the Wallstent enteral prosthesis inserted. 21 consecutive patients with inoperable obstruction, median age 75 years, had twenty-three procedures for insertion of the Wallstent under fluoroscopic guidance. Stent implantation was successful in 18 patients (86%), all of whom gained relief from nausea and vomiting. There were no short-term complications. Median survival after the procedure was four months (longest ten months), and no deaths were related to insertion. The efficacy and lack of complications in this series support use of the endoscopically placed stent for palliative management of malignant upper gastrointestinal obstruction.