Palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction caused by gastric cancer with self-expandable metal stents

Gastric carcinoma is among the most common cancers worldwide. Surgery remains the mainstay of potentially curative treatments. Unfortunately, most patients have an advanced form of the disease. We evaluated our experience in palliating malignant gastric outlet obstruction caused by gastric cancer with expandable metal stents (Wallstent Enteral; Boston Scientific, Singapore). Six patients with a median age of 68 years (range, 45-88) underwent the procedure. Three had metastatic gastric cancer; two recurrent gastric cancer; and one locally advanced gastric cancer with poor comorbid status. After the procedure, five of the six patients were able to resume an oral feeding within 24 hours. One patient with gastric dysmotility caused by linitus plastica required nasogastric tube feeding. Three patients died during a median followup period of 4 weeks (range, 2-8). The other three patients were still well at a median follow-up period of 10 weeks (range, 5-12). There was no procedure-related mortality or morbidity, nor was there any stent migration or blockage in any of these patients. In conclusion, palliation of malignant gastric outlet strictures caused by gastric cancer with expandable metal stents is an effective and safe alternative to surgery, particularly in patients with postgastrectomy anastomotic recurrence and in those who are poor candidates for surgery. Patients who are not expected to survive beyond 1 month and those with linitus plastica and associated gastric dysmotility may not be appropriate candidates for such a procedure.