Malignant obstruction of gastric outlet and duodenum: palliation with flexible covered metallic stents

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of flexible covered metallic stents in the palliation of malignant obstruction of the gastric outlet and duodenum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients with malignant obstruction of the gastric outlet (n = 22) or duodenum (n = 2) underwent palliative treatment with self-expandable flexible covered metallic stents. Fourteen patients had advanced gastric carcinoma at the antrum and/or pylorus, and eight had obstruction at the anastomosis site of previous gastrojejunostomy. Complications and clinical status were investigated during the study period. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 75% (18 of 24 patients). Twenty-one stents were placed in 18 patients by using an introducer 6 (n = 7) or 8 mm (n = 14) in diameter. The mean follow-up period was 3.4 months (range, 1 week to 9 months). Symptoms improved in 12 (67%) patients after the procedure. There was no change in symptoms in five and a decrease in one. Twelve patients died during the follow-up period (mean survival, 4.3 months). The complication rate was 25% (six of 24 patients), including stent migration (n = 5) and fracture (n = 3). CONCLUSION: Flexible covered metallic stent placement can be useful for palliation in patients with malignant obstruction of the gastric outlet or duodenum.