SELF-EXPANDING STAINLESS-STEEL INSERTION IN ACUTE COLORECTAL NEOPLASTIC OBSTRUCTIONS

Purpose: To determine the eficacy of colorectal stents implanted throu gh the anus for the treatment of acute intestinal occlusion before ele ctive surgery. Material and methods: 25 patients (3 females and 22 mal es) with a mean age of 62.5 years (range: 49-94), were diagnosed of lo wer intestinal occlusion due to neoplasm, In all cases, an expandable metallic stent was implanted through the anus during the first 24 h. X -ray studies, tumoral staging and surgical preparation were performed in all cases. Results: Implantation of stent was succesful in 23 patie nts (92%). Clinical improvement of intestinal occlusion was observed i n 24 hours, Criteria of no-resectability were found in five patients ( 20%). The remaining patients (18 cases) were treated by tumoral resect ion and end-to-end anastomosis an average of 8.6 days there after. No complications were observed and the patients were discharged 8.3 days after surgery. Conclusion: The implantation of colorectal stents befor e elective surgery constitutes a good alternative to surgery in the ac ute lower intestinal occlusion (left colon and rectum-sigmoid emergenc y).