The prognostic impact of bowel perforation following self-expanding metal stent as a bridge to surgery in colorectal cancer obstruction

Abstract

Self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) as a bridge to surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer may cause perforation of the tumor and thereby induce tumor spread and increase risk of recurrence, and eventually death. Evidence of the prognostic impact of SEMS-related perforation is, however, sparse. We conducted a long-term follow-up study to compare characteristics, overall survival, and recurrence rates between patients with and without SEMS-related bowel perforation.