Self-Expandable Metal Stent Placement as a Bridge to Laparoscopic or Open Surgery for Obstructive Colorectal Cancer: Short-Term Outcomes of Nineteen Consecutive Cases

Purpose Laparoscopic colorectal resection is a feasible and less invasive procedure with short-term advantages compared with open surgery; however, the evidence for its efficacy for treating obstructive colorectal cancer (CRC) is lacking. In this study, we aimed to determine short-term outcomes of SEMS placement for obstructive CRC followed by laparoscopic colorectal resection. Methods As of August 2013, 51 patients with obstructive CRC underwent stent insertion. Thirty-two patients received palliation therapy not intended for tumor resection. After decompression of the proximal intestine, nine and 10 patients underwent laparoscopic and open surgery, respectively. Clinicopathological, intraoperative, and postoperative data were retrospectively collected. Results There were no differences in resection rates and curabilities between the two groups. All surgeries were performed with a single-stage anastomosis, and no anastomotic leakage was observed. There was one patient with abdominal morbidity in the open group (Open) and none in the Lap group. There was no mortality in either group. Time to flatus (3.4 ± 1.8 days, Lap; 2.6 ± 1.1 days, Open) and time to oral intake (7.9 ± 2.5 days, Lap; 7.7±1.9 days, Open) were similar between the groups. Postoperative hospitalization times for the Lap group were shorter, but the difference was not statistically significant (15.2 ± 3.9 days, Lap; 21 ± 11.7 days, Open, p = 0.21). Conclusion Our findings indicate that laparoscopic surgery combined with preoperative stent placement is feasible as well as safe compared with open surgery for obstructive CRC.