Mentions: For the type 2 stent, stent fracture was noted in two cases, which occurred 14 days in one and 180 days in the other after stent insertion (Fig. 2). Stent fracture was noted incidentally on the regular follow-up radiography examinations without any specific symptom. Insertion of a second stent was performed in one patient, and surgical operation with colostomy was performed in another patient.

Choi JS, Choo SW, Park KB, Shin SW, Yoo SY, Kim JH, Do YS - Korean J Radiol (2007 Jan-Feb)

Bottom Line: In the palliative group, the data on the success of the procedure, the stent patency and the complications between the two groups (covered versus uncovered stents) were compared.The technical success rate was 89% (33/37).In the uncovered stent group, tumor ingrowth into the stents (n = 3) was noted.Self-expanding metallic stents are effective for relieving malignant colorectal obstruction.The rate of complications is lower in the uncovered stent group than in the covered stent group.

Affiliation: Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 135-710, Korea.

Abstract: We wanted to evaluate usefulness of uncovered stent in comparison with covered stent for the palliative treatment of malignant colorectal obstruction.Covered (n = 52, type 1 and type 2) and uncovered (n = 22, type 3) stents were placed in 74 patients with malignant colorectal obstruction. Stent insertion was performed for palliative treatment in 37 patients (covered stent: n = 23 and uncovered stent: n = 14). In the palliative group, the data on the success of the procedure, the stent patency and the complications between the two groups (covered versus uncovered stents) were compared.The technical success rate was 89% (33/37). Symptomatic improvement was achieved in 86% (18/21) of the covered stent group and in 92% (11/12) of the uncovered stent group patients. The period of follow-up ranged from three to 319 days (mean period: 116+/-85 days). The mean period of stent patency was 157+/-33 days in the covered stent group and 165+/-25 days in the uncovered stent group. In the covered stent group, stent migration (n = 11), stent fracture (n = 2) and poor expansion of the stent (n = 2) were noted. In the uncovered stent group, tumor ingrowth into the stents (n = 3) was noted.Self-expanding metallic stents are effective for relieving malignant colorectal obstruction. The rate of complications is lower in the uncovered stent group than in the covered stent group.