Self-expandable metallic stent treatment as palliative treatment for malignant colorectal obstruction in elderly patients

Abstract

The placement of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) in malignant colorectal obstruction is a minimally invasive medical alternative to surgery and may be used as a definitive palliative procedure or as a “bridge to surgery” to allow stabilization of the patient’s condition before surgery. There are, however, few reports about the efficacy and safety of SEMS in very elderly patients with malignant colorectal obstruction. We report the cases of two elderly patients aged 85 years or older with malignant colonic obstructions, in whom we carried out endoscopic palliative stenting. Placement of SEMS is safe even in very elderly patients with colorectal malignant obstruction, and furthermore, it could improve their quality of life.