Decompression of Malignant Large-bowel Obstruction with a Self-expanding Metallic Stent or Transanal Drainage Tube

Objective To compare the outcomes after self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) or transanal drainage tube (TDT) placement in patients with malignant large-bowel obstruction (MLBO). Methods Seventy-three patients with MLBO from the clinical unit underwent SEMS (n = 51) or TDT (n = 22) placement from 2012 to 2017. The success rates of placement, clinical outcomes after decompression, complications, the time to resuming enteral nutrition (EN), Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scoring and the following-up therapeutic options were investigated. Results Technical success were achieved in 100% of patients in both groups. The clinical success rates were 98.0%(50/51) for SEMS and 95.5%(21/22) for TDT. No perforation was found in any group, while 3.9%(2/51) in the SEMS and 18.2%(4/22) in TDT group experienced displacement (P = 0.26). It took 2.1 IQR (0~2) days and 3 IQR (2~5) days to resume EN in the SEMS and TDT groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The KPS scores were significantly higher in patients implanted with SEMS (70, IQR 50~80) than in those with TDT (35, IQR 30~50)(P < 0.001). In the SEMS group, 37.3%(19/51) of patients underwent stenting as a bridge to surgery, 9.8%(5/51) for chemotherapy only and 52.9%(27/51) for palliation, while 40.9%(9/22), 0 and 59.1%(13/22) underwent placement for these reasons in the TDT group, respectively. The majority (6/9) of the patients who underwent TDT placement as a bridge to surgery required stoma creation, while only 31.6%(6/19) of those in the SEMS group needed a stoma (P = 0.080). In addition, anastomotic leakage was only found in the TDT group (2/9)(P = 0.10). Conclusion Both SEMS and TDT placement could provide clinical relief for MLBO. However, SEMS placement is associated with earlier EN, fewer complications, and benefits for the postoperative quality-of-life.

Endoscopic Stricturotomy for Enteral Nutrition Access in Patients with Benign Gastrointestinal Strictures:a Review

Benign gastrointestinal stricture significantly restricts enteral nutrition,which directly affects the quality of life of patients.Advances in endoscopic techniques have provided a minimally invasive means of reconstructing the enteral nutrition pathway in patients with gastrointestinal strictures.Endoscopic stricturotomy is a safe and effective way to open the nutritional pathway,especially for those with anatomic stricture length<1 cm,and can be used either as the primary choice of treatment for patients with gastrointestinal stricture or as rescue therapy for refractory cases.Endoscopic stricturotomy can be executed with radial incision and cutting or circular incision and cutting.After the stricturotomy,other endoscopic treatments,such as endoscopic balloon dilation,stent implantation,and intra-lesional injection of steroids,can be used to prevent the development of re-stricture.This article reviews the clinical experiences with endoscopic stricturotomy for opening strictures along the enteral nutrition pathway in patients with gastrointestinal strictures.