Radiological palliation of malignant colonic obstruction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of colorectal stenting in the palliation of irresectable malignant colonic obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent colorectal stenting for irresectable colonic malignancy. Sixteen stents were placed successfully in 13 patients. Two stent insertions, one a proximal transverse colon lesion, were unsuccessful. Twelve patients (80%) had clinical or radiological features of imminent obstruction. Three patients were completely obstructed. Eighty-six percent of lesions were within the rectosigmoid colon. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success was 88%. Early, minor complications occurred in two patients (13%). Late complications included migration (13%) and ingrowth (19%). The median survival was 2 months (0.5-12 months). CONCLUSION: Stenting should be considered as definitive treatment in the context of an inoperable malignant stricture of the colon. It has low morbidity and a high technical and clinical success rate and avoids emergency defunctioning surgery in high-risk patients. (C) 2002 The Royal College of Radiologists.