Malignant gastrointestinal obstruction: endoscopic stenting versus surgical palliation

Malignant gastrointestinal obstruction is a secondary complication of cancers in an advanced state. Treatment has consisted of gastrojejunostomy. However, the endoscopic placement of metallic stents has provided positive results. This study aimed to compare the efficiency of both therapeutic options.

A total of 41 patients with gastrointestinal obstruction caused by inoperable neoplasm were treated endoscopically with enteral stent (24 patients) or gastrojejunostomy (17 patients).

In the endoscopic group (EG) 24 patients (100%) achieved efficient gastric emptying, as compared with 82.3% in the surgical group (SG). The difference was not significant. The average time for initiating oral food tolerance was 2.4 days for the EG and 5 days for the SG (p < 0.001). The average inpatient time was 7.1 days for the EG and 11.5 days for the SG (p < 0.001). Mortality at 30 days was lower in the EG (16.6%) than in the SG (29.4%) (p < 0.05). The survival time was 20 weeks for the EG and 21.6 weeks for the SG. The difference was not significant. The rate of complications was 4% in the (EG) and 17.6% in the (SG), with the difference was not significant.

Endoscopic treatment of malignant gastrointestinal obstruction provides an adequate palliation of the symptoms. It is less invasive, avoids the morbidity associated with open gastrojejunostomy, and achieves a faster start to oral food and a shorter hospital stay, leading to a higher quality of life.