Colorectal obstruction: treatment with metallic stents

To evaluate the usefulness of self-expandable metallic stents in the treatment of acute colonic obstruction secondary to colorectal neoplasm.

Stents were placed in 12 patients with clinical and radiologic signs of acute colonic obstruction. After symptom improvement, patients underwent radiologic staging. Single-stage surgery was performed in patients without disseminated disease.

Stent placement was successful in all patients. Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction resolved within 24 hours of stent placement in 10 patients (83%). In two patients with massive bowel dilation, improvement was evident 2 and 4 days after stent placement. Ten patients underwent elective single-stage surgery with partial colonic resection and creation of a primary end-to-end anastomosis without major complications. In two patients with disseminated neoplastic disease, stent placement was considered the primary palliative treatment.

Metallic stent placement to relieve acute colonic obstruction secondary to colorectal carcinoma is a safe therapeutic alternative, allowing single-stage surgery in suitable cases. In patients who are not surgical candidates it is an adequate palliative option.