Rectal metal stents for palliation of colorectal malignant stenosis

Thirteen patients with colorectal obstructing tumors were submitted to endoscopic insertion of self-expanding metal stents to restore luminal patency. The procedure was performed entirely under endoscopic control, without using fluoroscopy, during a 1-day hospitalization. The prostheses were correctly placed in 12/13 patients (92%), with no immediate complications. The mean follow-up is 7 months. Ten out of 12 patients (83%) had a permanent restoration of the luminal patency; they experienced no pain, tenesmus or any other discomfort during the follow-up period. In the remaining 2 patients long-term complications occurred and were treated by endoscopy in 1 case, and by surgical resection in the 2nd case. Self-expanding metal stents proved to be safe and effective; the main drawbacks, at present, are the lack of effectiveness of these devices in case of a fistula and their high costs.