Treatment of obstructing colonic carcinoma with expandable metal stents

Background: Expandable metal stents can be used as a palliative or pre surg ical method to decompress obstructing colonic carcinomas. Aim: To assess th e effectiveness of these stents in the treatment of obstructive colonic car cinoma. Patients and methods: Expandable metal stents were placed in nine p atients with the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma and with clinical and ra diographic signs of intestinal obstruction. Stents were placed under fluoro scopic guidance in nine patients and with endoscopic help in 2. The indicat ions were palliative treatment in 7 and pre surgical decompression in 2 pat ients. Results: Stent placement was successful in all patients. One patient presented a self limited rectal bleeding after the procedure. Obstruction was relieved in less than 24 hours after the procedure. Conclusion: Expanda ble metal stent placement is an effective means of relieving intestinal obs truction caused by colorectal carcinoma.