Local recurrence after stenting for obstructing left-sided colonic cancer

Background Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) may be used in acute obstructing left-sided colonic cancers to avoid high-risk emergency surgery. However, oncological safety remains uncertain. This study evaluated the long-term oncological outcome of SEMS as a bridge to elective curative surgery versus emergency resection. Methods A consecutive prospective cohort of patients admitted with obstructing left-sided colonic cancer between 2006 and 2012 was analysed. The decision to stent as a bridge to surgery or to perform emergency surgery was made by the on-call consultant colorectal surgeon in conjunction with a consultant interventional radiologist; when appropriate, they performed the stent procedure together. Primary outcomes were local and distant recurrence, and overall survival. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality, proportion of procedures undertaken laparoscopically, and anastomosis and stoma rates. Results In total, 105 patients with obstructing left-sided colonic cancer were treated with curative intent; 62 were treated with SEMS as a bridge to surgery and 43 had emergency resection. In patients aged 75 years or less, stenting and delayed surgery was associated with a higher local recurrence rate compared with emergency surgery at the end of follow-up (32 versus 8 per cent; P = 0·038). This did not translate into a significant difference in overall survival. Conclusion SEMS was associated with an increased local recurrence rate. A note of caution