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Updated: May 17, 2026
Robotic D3 Partial Duodenal Resection with Primary Side-to-Side Anastomosis
Published on: December 15, 2023
Uncovered self-expandable metallic stent placement as a first-line palliative therapy in unresectable malignant
Hyung Su Ahn1, Su Jin Hong, Jong Ho Moon
1Digestive Disease Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
Objective:
To report treatment outcomes and complications of uncovered self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) as a first-line therapy for inoperable malignant duodenal obstructions in our hospital.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed in patients who had undergone placement of uncovered SEMS as a first-line therapy for inoperable malignant duodenal obstruction from August 2001 to July 2011. Treatment outcomes and complications of the procedures were investigated.
Results:
In total, 47 patients (25 men; mean age 65 years) underwent the procedure. The technical and clinical success rates were 93.6% and 83.0%, respectively. Early complications occurred in 8 patients, including two guidewire-induced micro-perforations and six pancreatitis. All these 8 patients recovered with conservative treatment. Six late complications requiring additional procedures consisted of five stent occlusions due to tumor ingrowth and one stent migration. Four stent occlusions and one migration were treated by the placement of an additional covered stent and the remaining case was treated by balloon dilatation. The median primary stent patency period and median survival period after primary stent placement were 103 days and 131 days, respectively.
Conclusions:
Uncovered SEMS placement is effective as a first-line palliative therapy for inoperable malignant duodenal obstruction. Complications such as stent occlusion or migration can be easily managed with additional covered SEMS.
