Colonic stenting: a palliative measure only or a bridge to surgery?

Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) are used to relieve malignant luminal obstruction throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Colonic SEMS are used most often for palliation of obstruction in nonoperative candidates or in patients with advanced disease. The other indication for colonic stent placement is as a preoperative modality for the relief of acute obstruction so that resection can be done on an elective basis after stabilization of the acute illness and bowel preparation. For both of these indications, the goal is avoidance of a temporary or permanent ostomy. In this manuscript the supporting data for each of these indications will be reviewed.