Abstract
Acute colorectal obstruction has been often reported as a secondary outcome of left-colonic
malignancy. It is considered as a common emergency condition. Self-expandable metallic
stent (SEMS) placement is widely used as a palliative treatment for the management
of malignant colorectal obstruction (MCRO). SEMS placement is also deliberated as
a bridge to surgery. With advances in technology, several recent studies of SEMS placement
for MCRO indicated high technical (94–98%) and clinical (91–93%) success rates. The
complication rate associated with SEMS is quite acceptable. However, long-term outcomes
are still unclear. The symptoms should be carefully monitored before application of
SEMS, particularly in patients who are eligible for systemic chemotherapy and in patients
with a long life expectancy because of late complications such as reobstruction, stent
migration, and perforation. Appropriate patient selection and placement technique
are keys for the successful implementation of SEMS.
Keywords
self-expandable metallic stent - malignant colorectal obstruction - bridge to surgery
- palliative setting
