[Treatment of neoplastic stenosis of the left colon: presurgical expandable metal stent vs emergency surgery. Comparison of results and survival rates].

In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the use of self-expandable metal stent endoprostheses for preoperative "bridge to surgery" treatment of obstructive colorectal cancer. Stent insertion for malignant tumours is still controversial because of the increased risk of metastasis and regional advance of the cancer. We compared the short-term results and long-term survival times with preoperative stent insertion vs emergency surgery without stents.