Clinical outcomes and risk factors for technical and clinical failures of self-expandable metal stent insertion for malignant colorectal obstruction

Background: Although self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion is widely used for relief of malignant colorectal obstructions, the immediate technical and clinical failure rates of SEMSs and the associated risk factors remain largely unknown. Objective: To identify rates and factors predictive of technical and clinical failure of SEMSs when their use is attempted for the decompression of malignant colorectal obstruction. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: A tertiary-care academic medical center in South Korea. Patients: This study involved a total of 412 patients with malignant colorectal obstruction in whom SEMS insertion was attempted. Intervention: Placement of colonic SEMSs. Main Outcome Measurements: Technical success and immediate and long-term clinical success rates. Results: Technical and clinical failures were found in 36 of 276 patients (13.0%) and 39 of 240 patients (16.3%) in the palliative group, respectively, and in 3 of 136 patients (2.2%) and 7 of 133 patients (5.3%) in the preoperative group, respectively. Factors associated with technical failure were extracolonic origin of tumor, the presence of carcinomatosis, and a proximal obstruction site. Factors associated with long-term clinical failure in the palliative group were combined dilation procedure, no additional chemotherapy, and extracolonic origin of the tumor. In the preoperative group, only older patients had both higher technical failure and clinical failure rates. Limitations: This was a single-institution, retrospective analysis. Conclusion: Although colorectal SEMS placement is generally safe and effective, it is associated with clinically important technical and clinical failure rates. The identification of risk factors for the failure of colorectal SEMSs found in this study might help physicians decide between surgical decompression and endoscopic stenting in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction.