BACKGROUND: Colonic stent placement in acute malignant obstruction has proven to be an alternative for emergency surgery. It has been associated with reduced stoma creation and postoperative morbidity. Concerns have risen that manipulation of the tumor and risk of perforation might result in lower disease-free survival. Therefore, we investigated the long-term outcomes of stenting as a bridge to surgery in these patients, with emphasis on clinical success of the stenting procedure. METHODS: We performed a comparative study in the Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, The Netherlands. Data were collected from patients who underwent colonic stenting procedures or acute surgical resection due to malignant obstruction performed between 2007 and 2015. Patients treated with palliative intent were excluded. RESULTS: We included 92 patients, 66 underwent stent placement and 26 had an acute surgical resection. Technical and clinical success rates of the stenting procedures were 94% and 82%, respectively. No significant differences in demographic, tumor or stenting characteristics were found for patients with clinically (un)successful stent placement or stent-related perforations. Patients with unsuccessful stent procedures or perforation had higher rates of open procedures and rescue colostomy. Survival rates were similar for patients who underwent stent placements compared with acute resection. We found no significant differences in survival between patients with successful compared with unsuccessful procedures or perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Survival rates of patients who underwent colonic stenting are similar to those of patients who had an acute resection. No negative effects on survival were observed for clinically failed stenting procedures or stent-related perforations.