Indications for internal stenting in intestinal obstruction.

Internal stenting (sutureless plication) for intestinal adhesions was performed operatively in 16 patients. Subsequent recurrent obstruction occurred in four patients. Other complications occurred in three patients and included retained tube, jejunostomy-site abscess, and intestinal fistulization. Four patients died for an in-hospital mortality of 25%. Internal stenting for adhesions should be used cautiously. Its use should probably be restricted to the setting of severe adhesive small bowel obstruction particularly when numerous enterotomies are incurred during the course of adhesiolysis.