Abstract

Background
/Aims: Expandable stents were inserted for temporary decompression of the colorectum before single-stage surgery or for palliation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a self-expandable nitinol stent, which can be placed through the working channel of an endoscope, for treatment of malignant colorectal obstructions. Methods: From May 2000 to April 2001, twenty patients (eleven female, nine male, aged 39~81 years) with malignant colorectal obstructions were treated for relief from the obstructions with endoscopically guided intubation of a expandable nitino stent through the working channel of an endoscope. Of twenty patients, thirteen underwent placement of the stent for presurgical decompression; seven, for palliative decompression. Results: The site of obstructions were on the rectum (n=8), sigmoid colon (n=6), descending colon (n=2), transverse colon (n=3) and ascending colon (n=1). Stent placenment was successful in 18 (90%) of the 20 patients. Failure occurred in two patients with long and tortuous lesions involving hepatic flexure or splenic flexure. All patients tolerated placement of the stent well, with no procedure-related complications. Is patients with successful placement of the stent, symptoms of obstruction resolved within 72 hours. Twelve patients underwent the formal bowel preparation and elective single-stage surgery without complications 4~7 days after stent placement. In six patients, the stents provided palliative decompression of the colorectum. There was stent migration in two patients during follow-up. Conclusions: placement of a self-expandable nitinol stent through the working channel of an endoscope is technically feasible and safe. Stent placement allowed patients with malignant colorectal obstruction to undergo single-stage surgery in cases of operable disease and to provide palliative decompression in cases of inoperable disease. (Korean J Gastroitest Endosc 2001;23:213-219)

• Keywords: 직장 및 대장의 악성 폐쇄 , 자가확장형 니티놀인공관 , 경내시경적 유치 , Malignant colorectal obstruction , Self - expandable nitinol stent , Placement through the working channel of an endoscope