Colorectal Tumor Stenting as a Bridge to Surgery

In patients with bowel obstruction from colorectal cancers that appear resectable for cure, colorectal stenting as a bridge to surgery might impair oncologic outcomes, particularly because of the risk for stent-induced complications such as perforation.

In a study from Belgium comprising 97 patients with tumor stenting as a bridge to surgery and subsequent surgical resection, patients were followed for 10 years. Technical success in stent placement, performed by two experienced interventional gastroenterologists, was 95%.

Stent migration occurred in 9%, and perforation in 14%. Survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years for stented patients were 96%, 66%, 55%, and 41%, respectively, all of which were numerically superior and statistically not dif…