Palliative treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction with metallic stent: prospective comparison of covered and uncovered stents.

Background: The placement of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) is known to be effective palliative treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction. There are two types of SEMS--covered and uncovered--each with its own advantages and disadvantages. This study was conducted to compare between the clinical outcomes of covered and uncovered stents in patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstruction.