Colorectal stenting in England: a cross-sectional study of practice

UK and European guidelines recommend consideration of a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) as an alternative to emergency surgery in left-sided colonic obstruction. However, there is no clear consensus on stenting owing to concern for complications and long-term outcomes. Our study is the first to explore SEMS provision across England.

All colorectal surgery department leads in England were contacted in 2018 and invited to complete an objective multiple choice questionnaire pertaining to service provision of colorectal stenting (including referrals, time, location and specialty).

Of 182 hospitals contacted, 79 responded (24 teaching hospitals, 55 district general hospitals). All hospitals considered stenting, with 92% performing stenting and the remainder referring. The majority (93%) performed fewer than four stenting procedures per month. Most (96%) stented during normal weekday hours, with only 25% stenting out of hours and 23% at weekends. Compared with district general hospitals, a higher proportion of teaching hospitals stented out of hours and at weekends. Stenting was performed in the radiology department (64%), the endoscopy department (44%) and operating theatres (15%), by surgeons (63%), radiologists (60%) and gastroenterologists (48%). A radiologist was present in 66% of cases. Of 14 hospitals that received referrals, 3 had a protocol, 3 returned patients the same day and 4 returned patients for management in the event of failure.

All responding hospitals in England consider the use of SEMS in colonic obstruction. Nevertheless, there is great variation in stenting practices, and challenges in terms of access and expertise. Centralisation and regional referral networks may help maximise availability and expertise but more work is needed to support this.