Placement of the Decompression Tube as a Bridge to Surgery for Acute Malignant Left-Sided Colonic Obstruction

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of placing the decompression tube as a bridge to surgery for acute malignant left-sided colonic obstruction.

From January 2009 to August 2014, consecutive patients with acute malignant left-side colonic obstruction underwent placement of the decompression tube as a bridge to surgery in our center. The technical and clinical success of placing the decompression tube was evaluated. Clinical success was defined as relief of obstructive symptoms within 48 h after placing the decompression tube. Elective tumor resection was performed 7-9 days after colonic decompression. The types of surgery, primary anastomosis rate, and follow-up findings were analyzed.

Twenty patients with acute malignant left-side colonic obstruction underwent placement of the decompression tube as a bridge to surgery. Placement of decompression tube was technically successful in all patients. No procedure-related complication occurred. Clinical success was achieved in 19 patients. Elective tumor resection and primary anastomosis were successfully performed in all 19 patients. The postoperative complications included wound infection (n = 2) and anastomotic stenosis (n = 1).

Decompression tube can serve as an easy, safe, and effective bridge to subsequent surgery for patients with acute malignant left-sided colonic obstruction.