Short-term outcomes after self-expandable metal stent insertion for obstructing colon cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are used as a bridge to surgery for colon cancer patients as an alternative to emergency surgery. Currently, there is a paucity of literature from Saudi Arabia on the preoperative usage of SEMS.

OBJECTIVE

Determine whether SEMS are associated with a higher rate of complications.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study SETTINGS: Tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In patients diagnosed with obstructing colon cancer, up-front surgical resection was compared with insertion of SEMS followed by surgical resection between the years 2009 and 2013.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rate of stent-related short-term complications. Secondary endpoint, postoperative complications.

SAMPLE SIZE

RESULTS

Twenty-four (36.9%) patients underwent SEMS placement; 41 (63.1%) underwent primary surgery. The median (interquartile range) hospital stay was significantly higher among the SEMS group (13 [8.5] days versus 7 [3] days in the primary surgery group, <.001). Five patients (20.8%) in the SEMS group developed complications: 2 (8.3%) perforations, 2 (8.3%) obstructions, and 1 (4.2%) stent migrations.

CONCLUSION

SEMS is associated with longer hospital stays and short-term serious complications. Further research should be conducted, preferably with a larger sample size.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective design, small sample size.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.