Safety and Feasibility of Self-Expandable Metallic Stent Insertion for the Right-Side Colonic Malignant Obstruction and Its Clinical Benefits

Abstract

Purpose: The efficacy of stenting for the right-side colonic malignant obstruction is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of self-expandable metallic stent insertion for the right-side colonic malignant obstruction and its clinical benefits. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 460 patients who underwent right hemicolectomy for right-side colon cancer from January 2006 to January 2014 at Korea University Anam Hospital. Twenty four patients who developed malignant obstruction in the right -side colon were identified and analyzed. Results: Self-expandable metallic stent insertion was attempted in 14 patients, and initial technical success was achieved in 13 patients (92.9%). No immediate stent-related complications were reported. Complete relief of obstruction was achieved in all of the 13 patients. Eleven patients who failed stenting underwent emergency operation. All of the 13 patients with stent underwent laparoscopic surgery and only one case was converted to open. Only three patients in the emergency group underwent laparoscopic surgery but one was converted. Operative time and number of retrieved lymph nodes did not differ between the two groups. Postoperative hospital stay (9.8±3.2 in stent group vs. 16.3±10.9 days in emergency group, p=0.082) tended to be shorter in the stent group. Estimated blood loss (38.5±138.7 in stent group vs. 381.8± 411.9 in emergency group, p=0.010) and duration for resuming diet (3.2±2.2 in stent group vs. 6.6±7.0 days in emergency group, p=0.017) were significantly better in the stent group. Conclusion: Self-expandable metallic stent appears to be safe and feasible in the right-side colonic malignant obstruction. It facilitates minimally invasive surgery and may result in better short-term surgical outcome.