Use of a colonoscope for distal duodenal stent placement in patients with malignant obstruction

Stent placement in the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum with a therapeutic gastroscope can be difficult, because of the reach of the endoscope, loop formation in the stomach, and flexibility of the gastroscope. The use of a colonoscope may overcome these problems.

To report our experience with distal duodenal stent placement in 16 patients using a colonoscope.

Multicenter, retrospective series of patients with a malignant obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum and treated by stent placement using a colonoscope. Main outcome measurements are technical success, ability to eat, complications, and survival.

Stent placement was technically feasible in 93% (15/16) of patients. Food intake improved from a median gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) score of 1 (no oral intake) to 3 (soft solids) (p = 0.001). Severe complications were not observed. One patient had persistent obstructive symptoms presumably due to motility problems. Recurrent obstructive symptoms were caused by tissue/tumor ingrowth through the stent mesh [n = 6 (38%)] and stent occlusion by debris [n = 1 (6%)]. Reinterventions included additional stent placement [n = 5 (31%)], gastrojejunostomy [n = 2 (12%)], and endoscopic stent cleansing [n = 1 (6%)]. Median survival was 153 days.

Duodenal stent placement can effectively and safely be performed using a colonoscope in patients with an obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum. A colonoscope has the advantage that it is long enough and offers good endoscopic stiffness, which avoids looping in the stomach.