Systematic review of the efficacy and safety of colorectal stents

Colorectal stents are being used for palliation and as a 'bridge to surgery' in obstructing colorectal cancers.

A systematic review of the published data on stenting for the treatment of colorectal obstruction was carried out by searching Medline and other online databases for the period from January 1990 to December 2000. A total of 58 publications (case series, single case reports and reviews) was found, of which 29 case series were included in the analysis. Technical and clinical success, complications and reobstruction, both in palliation and as a 'bridge to surgery', were assessed. Both descriptive statistics and pooled analyses were carried out.