Self-expanding metal stents for colonic obstruction: experiences from 104 procedures in a single center

In the past, colonic obstruction caused by malignancy most often resulted in high-risk operations, usually involving two-step procedures or leaving the patient with a stoma in case of disseminated disease.

Between May 1997 and January 2003, 104 procedures with self-expanding metal stents have been performed in 96 patients at our institution. The goals of the procedure were either postponement of emergency operation or definitive palliative treatment. Surgeons with combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic technique performed all procedures. In most cases no analgesia or only slight sedation was used. Seven types of stents were used, CHOO stents and Wallstents accounting for the majority.

A total of 96 patients were included, 44 men and 52 women, with a mean age of 78 (range, 41-100) years. Technical success was achieved in 92 percent; clinical success, in 82 percent. Thirty-eight patients presented with an acute obstruction and were treated with self-expanding metal stents. Seventeen patients later underwent an elective resection, 9 patients were not decompressed, and 12 patients had disseminated disease and were not treated further. Eight patients had benign strictures. These eight patients accounted for several of the reinterventions, and only three patients truly gained benefit from stenting. In the remaining patients disseminated disease was diagnosed and the acute stenting served as the definitive palliative treatment. Procedure-related complications were few: perforation occurred in three patients during stenting and in one instance 6 to 7 hours after. Other technical problems could mainly be overcome by introducing an additional stent. Complications seen in the group treated with self-expanding metal stents and subsequent resection [mortality N = 3 (18 percent)], anastomotic leakage [N = 3 (18 percent)], do not differ from the number of complications we usually see in our patients who undergo elective colorectal resection.

The use of self-expanding metal stents in malignant colonic obstruction is a safe and effective procedure with a low mortality and morbidity. In our experience the stenting of benign strictures is ineffective and combined with a high rate of complications.