Colostomy vs self-expanding metallic stents: comparison of the two techniques in acute tumoral left colonic obstruction

Self-expanding metallic stents is an alternative treatment to colostomy that is the treatment of choice in acute tumoral left colonic obstruction. AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay and treatment performed after desobstruction using the two methods. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients admitted for acute obstruction of the left colon were retrospectively separated in two groups depending on the type of intervention performed to treat the obstruction ("colostomy" group: 17 patients and "self-expanding stent group": 16 patients). We studied complications after desobstruction, hospital courses and surgical strategy performed after the acute phase. RESULTS: Time between desobstruction and colectomy was shorter in the "self-expanding stent group" than in the "colostomy group" (18.5 days versus 73 days). Age superior than 75 years and colostomy were the two main factors predicting the risk of definitive colostomy (P < 0.05). Global mean hospital stay was longer in the colostomy group (32.7 days versus 19.3 days, P = 0.02). Two perforations and one local recurrence occurred in the "self-expanding stent group". CONCLUSIONS: Self-expanding metallic stent can decrease the permanent colostomy rate and the number of interventions. The recurrence rate seems to be theoretically increased with the stenting method. Then, colostomy must be done for patients in curative situation. The self-expanding metallic stent should be used as a palliative care.