Self-expandable stent before elective surgery vs. emergency surgery for the treatment of malignant colorectal obstructions: comparison of primary anastomosis and morbidity rates.

Purpose: At present there are not enough studies that demonstrate the usefulness of self-expandable stents in patients with left-sided malignant colon and rectal obstruction. We evaluated primary anastomosis and morbidity rates obtained with this method in comparison with the results of the emergency surgical treatment.

Methods: From February 1994 to November 1999, 72 consecutive patients with left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction were enrolled.