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. OBJECTIVES: 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: 65. 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, P<.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.