Long-term outcomes of palliative colonic stenting versus emergency surgery for acute proximal malignant colonic obstruction: a multicenter trial

Safety and Effectiveness of Colonic Stenting for Ileocecal Valve Obstruction and Usefulness of Two-Step Strategy: Single-Center Retrospective Study

Background: Endoscopic self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement is a widely accepted treatment for malignant left-sided colorectal obstruction (LSO) because of its lower invasiveness and quicker symptomatic relief compared to surgery. However, SEMS placement for ileocecal valve obstruction (ICVO) has not been established due to its technical difficulties. Methods: This single-center retrospective study compared the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent SEMS placement for ICVO (ICVO group, n = 13) and LSO (LSO group, n = 146). Particularly in cases with severe small-intestine dilation, we applied a "Two-Step Strategy", which involved long intestinal tube insertion followed by SEMS placement to ensure safety and overcome technical challenges. Results: Patients in the ICVO group were significantly more likely to undergo SEMS placement with the Two-Step Strategy compared to those in the LSO group (76.9% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.001). Both groups achieved similarly high technical and clinical success rates (100% vs. 98.6%, p = 1.000; 92.3% vs. 88.4%, p = 1.000), and the incidence of adverse events also showed no significant difference between the groups (7.7% vs. 13.0%; p = 1.000). Furthermore, the median time to recurrent colorectal obstruction and survival time after SEMS placement did not differ between patients with palliative stenting for ICVO and LSO (not reached vs. 430 days, p = 0.586; 119 days vs. 200 days, p = 0.303). Conclusions: SEMS placement for malignant ICVO is as safe and effective as it is for malignant LSO, and the Two-Step Strategy might be useful in ICVO cases.

Malignant Acute Colonic Obstruction: Multidisciplinary Approach for Endoscopic Management

Patients presenting with acute colonic obstruction are usually evaluated in the emergency department and multiple specialties are involved in the patients' management. Pre-treatment evaluation is essential in order to establish the correct endoscopic indication for stent implantation. Contrast-enhanced imaging could allow the exclusion of benign causes of colonic obstruction and evaluation of the length of malignant stricture. Endoscopic stenting is the gold standard of treatment for palliative indications whereas there are still concerns about its use as a bridge to surgery. Different meta-analyses showed that stenting as a bridge to surgery improves short-term surgical outcomes but has no role in improving long-term outcomes. Multidisciplinary evaluation is also essential in patients that may be started on or are currently receiving antiangiogenic agents because endoscopic stenting may increase the risk of perforation. Evidence in the literature is weak and based on retrospective data. Here we report on how to correctly evaluate a patient with acute colonic malignant obstruction in collaboration with other essential specialists including a radiologist, surgeon and oncologist, and how to optimize the technique of endoscopic stenting.

Endoscopic Management of Colonic Obstruction

Large bowel obstruction is a serious event that occurs in approximately 25% of all intestinal obstructions. It is attributed to either benign, malignant, functional (pseudo-obstruction), or mechanical conditions. Benign etiologies of colonic obstructions include colon volvulus, anastomotic strictures, radiation injury, ischemia, inflammatory processes such as Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, bezoars, and intussusception.

Stenting as a bridge to surgery in obstructing colon cancer: Long-term recurrence pattern and competing risk of mortality

BACKGROUND

Stenting as a bridge to curative surgery (SBTS) for obstructing colon cancer (OCC) has been associated with possibly worse oncological outcomes.

AIM

To evaluate the recurrence patterns, survival outcomes, and colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific death in patients undergoing SBTS for OCC.

METHODS

Data from 62 patients undergoing SBTS at a single tertiary centre over ten years between 2007 and 2016 were retrospectively examined. Primary outcomes were recurrence patterns, overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and CRC-specific death. OS and CSS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier curves. Competing risk analysis with cumulative incidence function (CIF) was used to estimate CRC-specific mortality with other cause-specific death as a competing event. Fine-Gray regressions were performed to determine prognostic factors of CRC-specific death. Univariate and multivariate subdistribution hazard ratios and their corresponding Wald test P values were calculated.

RESULTS

28 patients (45.2%) developed metastases after a median period of 16 mo. Among the 18 patients with single-site metastases: Four had lung-only metastases (14.3%), four had liver-only metastases (14.3%), and 10 had peritoneum-only metastases (35.7%), while 10 patients had two or more sites of metastatic disease (35.7%). The peritoneum was the most prevalent (60.7%) site of metastatic involvement (17/28). The median follow-up duration was 46 mo. 26 (41.9%) of the 62 patients died, of which 16 (61.5%) were CRC-specific deaths and 10 (38.5%) were deaths owing to other causes. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS probabilities were 88%, 74%, and 59%; 1-, 3-, and 5-year CSS probabilities were 97%, 83%, and 67%. The highest CIF for CRC-specific death at 60 mo was liver-only recurrence (0.69). Liver-only recurrence, peritoneum-only recurrence, and two or more recurrence sites were predictive of CRC-specific death.

CONCLUSION

The peritoneum was the most common metastatic site among patients undergoing SBTS. Liver-only recurrence, peritoneum-only recurrence, and two or more recurrence sites were predictors of CRC-specific death.

Arterial-colonic fistula secondary to colonic stent erosion into the left external iliac artery

Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) are widely utilized as a bridge to surgical intervention and for palliative treatment of malignant bowel obstructions. The risk of complications associated with SEMS is low in well-selected patients. Stent erosion is a rare but serious adverse event that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Here, we report the case of a 74-year-old patient with a colonic obstruction secondary to a pelvic mass that was treated with SEMS and radiotherapy, who developed a partial thickness stent erosion and recurrent hematochezia 6 years after placement. Endoscopic retrieval was not technically feasible. During attempted surgical resection, massive hemorrhage occurred from a colonic-arterial fistula to the left external iliac artery resulting in death. While SEMS remain an effective, minimally invasive approach for the management of bowel obstructions, prolonged in-situ lifetime may confer an increased risk of serious adverse events including erosion and fistula formation.

Clinical outcomes of palliative self-expandable metal stent placement in right- and left-sided malignant colon obstruction: A Honam Association for the Study of Intestinal Disease (HASID) multicenter study

Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement is commonly used for palliation of left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction (MCO). However, right-sided MCO is usually treated surgically. Recent studies that compared palliative SEMS insertion and emergency surgery in right-sided MCOs have reported conflicting results. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of palliative SEMS placement in left-sided MCOs and right-sided MCOs and to investigate the predictive factors for clinical success and risk factors for complications. Data from 469 patients who underwent palliative SEMS placement for MCO at 6 hospitals in the Honam province of South Korea between 2009 and 2018 were reviewed. Among them, 69 patients with right-sided MCO and 400 patients with left-sided MCO who underwent SEMS placement for palliative purposes were enrolled. Clinical success, overall survival, complications, and predictive factors for clinical success and risk factors for complications were included as the main outcome measures. The clinical success rates were 97.1% (65/67) in right-sided MCO patients and 88.2% (353/400) in left-sided MCO patients. Complications including stent migration, tumor ingrowth, outgrowth, perforation, bacteremia/fever, and bleeding occurred in 10.1% (7/69) of right-sided MCO patients and 19.9% (79/400) of left-sided MCO patients. The mean overall survival of right-sided MCO was 28.02 months and 18.23 months for left-sided MCO. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, T3 stage tumors and the use of uncovered stents were significant factors for the clinical success of SEMS. The use of covered stents and performance status score of 0 to 2 were independent significant risk factors for complications. Palliative SEMS placement in right-sided MCO showed better clinical success rates than left-sided MCO. The use of uncovered stents is recommended for higher clinical success rates and lower complication rates.

Factors Associated with Clinical Outcomes of Palliative Stenting for Malignant Colonic Obstruction

Background/Aims

Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) can be applied to relieve colorectal obstruction secondary to incurable primary colorectal cancer or extracolonic malignancy. We aimed to identify factors associated with clinical success and the reintervention-free survival (RFS) after palliative stenting.

Methods

Cases of palliative SEMS placement between 2005 and 2019 were retrieved from the institutional database and reviewed retrospectively. Logistic regression and log-rank testing followed by Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to investigate the predictors of the clinical success of palliative stenting and factors associated with RFS, respectively.

Results

A total of 593 patients underwent palliative stenting for malignant colonic obstruction (MCO). The technical and clinical success rates were 92.9% and 83.5%, respectively. Peritoneal carcinomatosis was a predictor of clinical failure (odds ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17 to 0.65) in the multivariate analysis. Peritoneal carcinomatosis (hazard ratio [HR], 2.48; 95% CI, 1.69 to 3.64) and stent expansion >90% on day 1 (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.50) were associated with a shorter RFS. Neither clinical success nor RFS was associated with extracolonic malignancy. Re-obstruction, stent migration, and perforation were responsible for most reinterventions after clinically successful palliative stenting.

Conclusions

In patients requiring palliative stenting for MCO, peritoneal carcinomatosis was associated with both clinical failure and short RFS. Stent expansion >90% on postprocedural day 1 was another predictor of a short RFS after clinically successful stenting. A large prospective study is warranted to establish factors associated with RFS after successful palliative stenting for MCO.

Selecting Patients for Palliative Procedures in Oncology

Surgical palliation in oncology can be defined as "procedures employed with non-curative intent with the primary goal of improving symptoms caused by an advanced malignancy," and is an important aspect of the end-of-life care of patients with incurable malignancies. Palliative interventions may provide great benefit, but they also carry high risk for morbidity and mortality, which may be minimized with careful patient selection. This can be done by consideration of the patient and his or her indication for the given intervention via open communication, as well as prediction of benefits and risks to define the therapeutic index of the operation or procedure.

Efficacy of uncovered self-expandable metallic stent for colorectal obstruction by extracolonic malignancy

BACKGROUND

Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is widely used for malignant colorectal obstruction. Recently, SEMS has been used for palliative option for colorectal obstruction caused by extracolonic malignancy (ECM).

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of SEMS for colorectal obstruction caused by ECM, and to identify the factors associated with stent occlusion.

METHODS

Seventy-two patients who were treated with uncovered SEMS insertion for malignant colorectal obstructions caused by colorectal metastasis or peritoneal seeding of ECM at Samsung Medical Center between April 2012 to March 2016 were enrolled. We analyzed technical and clinical outcomes of stent insertion, the factors associated with stent occlusion and long term outcomes after stent insertion.

RESULTS

Technical success rate was determined as 90.3% with a clinical success rate of 87.7%. Stent occlusion developed in 28.1%, with a median duration of 51 d. Further, 81.3% with stent occlusion could be treated with secondary stent insertion. Clinical failure was observed to be related to the male sex (P = 0.020) and right colon obstruction (P = 0.017). Stent length ≤ 10 cm was found to be associated with stent occlusion (P = 0.003). Median survival time after stent insertion was 4.7 mo and 40.4% were able to receive their oncological treatments after stent insertion without surgery.

CONCLUSION

Uncovered SEMS is effective for the treatment of colorectal obstruction caused by ECM, considering life expectancy of patients with ECM.

A Comparison of Open and Laparoscopic-assisted Colectomy for Obstructive Colon Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

We performed a retrospective multi-center cohort analysis to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery vs. open surgery for obstructive colon cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 455 patients with colon cancer with ileus underwent surgery at Yokohama City University Hospital and four related institutions from April 2000 to March 2016.

RESULTS

There were 414 cases in the open surgery group and 41 cases in the laparoscopic surgery group with no marked differences in the gender or age. The postoperative complication rate, according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, was lower in the laparoscopic group compared to the open surgery group. The postoperative hospital stay was 16 days in the open surgery group and 9 days in the laparoscopic surgery group (p=0.004). Among the various factors examined, the operation approach was identified as a statistically significant independent risk factor for postoperative complications (p=0.015).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative treatment for colon cancer with ileus and elective laparoscopic surgery are thought to be useful for achieving curative treatment, avoiding colostomy, and shortening the length of hospital stay.

Comparison of colonic stents, stomas and resection for obstructive left colon cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Emergency surgery (ES) is the standard-of-care for left-sided obstructing colon cancer, with self-expanding metallic stents (SEMSs) and diverting colostomies (DCs) being alternative approaches. The aim of this study was to review the short- and long-term outcomes of SEMS versus ES or DC.

METHODS

Embase and Medline were searched for articles comparing SEMS versus ES or DC. Primary outcomes were survival and recurrence rates. Secondary outcomes were peri- and postoperative outcomes. SEMS-specific outcomes include success and complication rates. Pooled odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were estimated with DerSimonian and Laird random effects used to account for heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies were included, involving 15,224 patients in 8 randomized controlled trials and 25 observational studies. There were high technical and clinical success rates for SEMS, with low rates of complications. Our meta-analysis revealed increased odds of laparoscopic surgery and anastomosis, and decreased stoma creation with SEMS compared to ES. SEMS led to fewer complications, including anastomotic leak, wound infection, ileus, myocardial infarction, and improved 90-day in-hospital mortality. There were no significant differences in 3- and 5-year overall, cancer-specific and disease-free survival. SEMS, compared to DC, led to decreased rates of stoma creation, higher rates of ileus and reoperation, and led to longer hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS

SEMS leads to better short-term outcomes but confers no survival advantage over ES. It is unclear whether SEMS has better short-term outcomes compared to DC. There is a lack of randomized trials with long-term outcomes for SEMS versus DC, hence results should be interpreted with caution.

Stenting as a Bridge to Surgery or a Palliative Treatment

Endoscopic stenting of the colorectum has emerged as a viable alternative to surgical interventions in a selected group of patients. The main indication for stenting is bowel obstruction. As such stenting can be used to palliate patients with metastatic disease or bridge patients to surgical intervention. The main advantages of stenting in the emergency setting include lower morbidity and mortality, lower incidence of stoma formation, shorter hospitalization, and better quality of life. For patients with unresectable disease and short life expectancy, stenting can be considered. However, for patients with longer life expectancy, the potential long-term complications of a metal stent such as erosion, migration, or obstruction have engendered debate whether such patients are better served by operative intervention. Stenting as a bridge to surgery is an alternative to surgery in patients who are high risk for emergency surgery but concerns remain regarding its impact on oncologic outcome in potentially curable patients.

Cost-effectiveness of palliative emergent surgery versus endoscopic stenting for acute malignant colonic obstruction

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic stenting has demonstrated value over emergent surgery as a palliative intervention for patients with acute large bowel obstruction due to advanced colorectal cancer. However, concerns regarding high reintervention rates and the risk of perforation have brought into question its cost-effectiveness.

METHODS

A decision tree analysis was performed to analyze costs and survival in patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer who present with acute large bowel obstruction. The model was designed with two treatment arms: self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) placement and emergent surgery. Costs were derived from medicare reimbursement rates (US$), while effectiveness was represented by quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The primary outcome measure was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The model was tested for validation using one-way, two-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

Endoscopic stenting resulted in an average cost of $43,798.06 and 0.68 QALYs. Emergent surgery cost $5865.30 more, while only yielding 0.58 QALYs. This resulted in an ICER of - $58,653.00, indicating that SEMS placement is the dominant strategy. One-way and two-way sensitivity analyses demonstrated that emergent surgery would require an improved survival rate in comparison to endoscopic stenting to become the favored treatment modality. In 100,000 probabilistic simulations, endoscopic stenting was favored 96.3% of the time.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute colonic obstruction in the presence of unresectable or metastatic disease, endoscopic stenting is a more cost-effective palliative intervention than emergent surgery. This recommendation would favor surgery over SEMS placement with improved surgical survival, or if the majority of patients undergoing stenting required reintervention.

Colon metal stents as a bridge to surgery had no significant effects on the perineural invasion: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

The long-term oncological effects of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) as a "bridge to surgery" are contradictory, and perineural invasion was supposed to be enhanced by the stenting. In this retrospective study, we compared the perineural invasion and the oncological outcomes between the stent as a bridge to surgery (SBTS)- and emergency surgery (ES)-treated patients to evaluate the results of stenting on the perineural invasion.

METHODS

The clinical data of patients with acute intestinal obstruction caused by colorectal cancer from January 2013 to January 2017 were retrospectively collected. Forty-three patients underwent semi-elective curative resection after endoscopic SEMS insertion, and sixty-three underwent ES. The adverse events and long-term follow-up outcomes were assessed. The clinicopathological characteristics, perineural invasion rates, and survival rates were compared between the two patient groups.

RESULTS

Stent insertion resulted in significantly lower stoma rate (32.6% vs 46%; P = 0.03), post-operative overall complication rate (11.6% vs 28.6%, P = 0.038), and total hospital stay (17.07 ± 5.544 days vs 20.48 ± 7.372 days, P = 0.042). Compared with the ES group, there was no significant increase in the incidence of peripheral invasion in the SBTS group (39.5% vs 47.6%, P = 0.411). No significant difference was noted in the survival rate and long-term prognosis between the SEMS and ES groups (P = 0.964). The technical success rate was 95.6%, and the clinical success rate was 97.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative colon stenting was an effective transitional method for colorectal cancer patients with complete obstruction. Short-term stent implantation had no significant effect on perineural invasion in patients with CRC.

Endoscopic Management of Malignant Colonic Obstruction

Advanced colorectal cancer can cause acute colonic obstruction, which is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency bowel decompression. Malignant colonic obstruction has traditionally been treated using emergency surgery, including primary resection or stoma formation. However, relatively high rates of complications, such as anastomosis site leakage, have been considered as major concerns for emergency surgery. Endoscopic management of malignant colonic obstruction using a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) was introduced 20 years ago and it has been used as a first-line palliative treatment. However, endoscopic treatment of malignant colonic obstruction using SEMSs as a bridge to surgery remains controversial owing to short-term complications and longterm oncological outcomes. In this review, the current status of and recommendations for endoscopic management using SEMSs for malignant colonic obstruction will be discussed.

Safety and efficacy of metal stents for malignant colonic obstruction in patients treated with bevacizumab

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aim of this study was to examine clinical outcomes and adverse events (AEs) of self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) in the management of malignant colonic obstruction (MCO).

METHODS

Patients with SEMSs for MCO treated at our institution from 2007 to 2016 were included. Clinical success was defined as successful oral intake after the procedure and technical success as stent deployment across the stricture in the desired location.

RESULTS

Of 199 patients, the mean age was 58, 54% were men, and 99% had stage IV cancer. MCO etiology was colorectal cancer in 82% and extrinsic compression in 17%. Technical success was achieved in 99.5% and clinical success in 89%. The SEMSs were palliative in 97% and were a bridge to surgery in 4%. MCO occurred in the left side of the colon in 90%, transverse in 4.5%, and ascending colon in 5.5%. SEMSs were placed in curved segments in 30% and straight segments in 70%. Tandem SEMSs were required in 27 patients. Forty-six patients had 48 AEs (24%), including 2% periprocedure, 15% postprocedure, and 83% after 72 hours. Stent-related AEs (n = 25) included persistent obstruction (n = 14), occlusion (n = 10), and failure of expansion (n = 1). Procedural AEs (n = 23) included minor bleeding (n = 2), perforations (n = 4), abdominal pain (n = 12), stent migration (n = 4), and respiratory insufficiency (n = 1). Repeat procedures were performed in 21 of 46 patients. After SEMSs, 48 patients underwent surgery, including resection with primary anastomosis (n = 8), resection with definitive stoma (n = 18), and diverting stoma without resection (n = 19). Mean time to surgery after SEMS placement was 175 days. Postsurgical AEs occurred in those with resections (leak, 2; infection, 2). Of 104 receiving bevacizumab, 22% had AEs, including 1 perforation compared with 3 in the nonbevacizumab group (P = .549). Mean overall survival was 5.6 months. Extrinsic compression and curved strictures were associated with poor clinical success by univariate analysis and etiology (noncolonic with poor outcome) by multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

SEMSs for MCO has high technical but suboptimal clinical success. Curved strictures and extrinsic compression are associated with poor outcomes. The perforation rate was not higher in the bevacizumab compared with the nonbevacizumab group, although this should be further validated in a larger population.

Comparative outcomes between palliative ileostomy and colostomy in patients with malignant large bowel obstruction

Objectives: Palliative stoma creation should be considered in patients at high risk of colonic metallic stent failure. However, it is unclear whether ileostomy or colostomy is superior. This study compared short-term outcomes between palliative ileostomy and colostomy. Methods: We identified 82 patients with malignant large bowel obstruction, caused by various advanced cancers, between January 2005 and December 2016. We compared short-term outcomes between the ileostomy group (n = 33) and the colostomy group (n = 49). Results: For all 82 patients, clinical success was achieved. Three patients with ileostomy died within 30 days of ostomy formation. The ileostomy group had statistically significant differences in median operative time (113 vs. 129 minutes, p = 0.045) and blood loss (8 vs. 40 g, p = 0.037) in comparison with the colostomy group. No statistically significant differences were observed in the surgical complications (30.3 vs. 38.8%, p = 0.431), in the median period to oral intake (3 vs. 4 days, p = 0.335) and in the hospital stay after surgery (32 vs. 27 days, p = 0.509) between the two groups. Overall stoma-related complications occurred in 27 (32.9%) patients. Stoma-related complications occurred more frequently in the ileostomy group (16/33 vs. 11/49 patients, p = 0.014). High output stoma (6 patients) and irritation (5 patients) occurred more frequently in the ileostomy group. Conclusions: Palliative colostomy is superior to ileostomy due to fewer stoma-related complications. When ileostomy is required, aggressive interventions for high output stomas should be implemented.

恶性肠梗阻的治疗现状与进展

恶性肠梗阻(malignant bowel obstruction, MBO)是晚期肿瘤常见并发症之一, 严重影响患者的生活质量. 恶性肿瘤本身的复杂性导致肠梗阻治疗的复杂性、难治性. 近年来, 随着腹腔镜、内镜技术及介入技术的发展以及对姑息手术适应证的把握, 肠梗阻患者的生存质量及治疗率得以提高, 但尚存在一定争议, 且在药物治疗方面暂无显著进展. 另外, 中医药在该领域亦有较多研究, 显示出一定的效果, 但尚缺乏前瞻性的随机对照研究. 临床处理要充分考虑治疗可能带来的益处及风险, 慎重选择个性化的治疗方案. 本文对国内外近年来MBO的中西医诊疗进展进行系统综述, 以期对临床诊疗具有一定的指导意义.