Gastroduodenal stenting with Niti-S stent: long-term benefits and additional stent intervention

Self-expandable metallic stents have mainly been used for the palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). However, their use in long-term survivors and the feasibility, safety and benefit of additional intervention for stent dysfunction remain controversial. The present study examined the long-term benefits of endoscopic gastroduodenal stenting.

We reviewed 61 patients treated with Niti-S stents at several hospitals and estimated the efficacy of stent intervention, stent patency, eating period and factors related to poor effectiveness.

All 61 first stent interventions and 14 additional stent interventions (11 second interventions and 3 third interventions) were successfully carried out. Clinical success rates were 83.6% and 85.7%, and median stent patency was 214 days and 146 days (P = 0.47), respectively. Fifty patients could be treated with a first stent only, and 11 patients received additional stents. At the time of study termination or death, 70.0% of the former group and 63.6% of the latter group maintained oral intake (P = 0.71), and each 86% and 100% among the group could maintain oral intake for a period exceeding half of their remaining lives after first stent intervention. Karnofsky performance status ≤50 (P = 0.03), ascites (P = 0.009), and peritoneal dissemination (P = 0.001) appeared to be factors related to poor effectiveness.

Despite the presence of factors related to poor effectiveness, endoscopic gastroduodenal stenting would be the first treatment of choice for GOO and provide long-term benefits. If stent dysfunction occurs, additional stent intervention enables continued oral intake safely.