Palliative Self-expandable Metal Stents for Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Kim, Bo Suk; Moon, Jae Hyeon; Kwon, Dae Sik; An, Jin Kwang; Heo, Jeong; Kim, Gwang Ha; Kang, Dae Hwan; Song, Geun Am; Cho, Mong; Yang, Ung Suk

Abstract

BACKGROUND
/AIM: Gastric outlet obstruction due to malignancy causes various symptoms and malnutrition and so decreases the quality of life and shortens the survival. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, safety, and outcome of a self-expandable metal stent as a palliative methods.
METHODS
From January, 2000 to August, 2002, 29 consecutive patients (36 cases of stent insertion) with inoperable gastric outlet obstruction were treated palliatively with through-the scope stents (Nitis Taewoong, Korea, 29 uncovered, 7 covered). All patients had malignancy. We reviewed the success rate, complications and clinical outcome.
RESULTS
There were 21 cases with advanced gastric cancer, 5 with pancreatic head cancer and 2 with cholangiocarcinoma. The other one had primary duodenal carcinoma. Technical success was achieved in thirty four cases (94.4%). After successful placement, 26 patients could eat soft or solid foods with careful education about foods impaction. During the follow-up (mean: 2.6 months, range: 1~9 months), there were no procedure related early complication. Seven stent occlusion occurred due to tumor in-growth (6 case) and over-growth (1 case).
CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic self-expandable metal stent placement in patients with inoperable gastric outlet obstruction is a highly successful, safe and effective palliative method.