Delayed ischemic cecal perforation despite optimal decompression after placement of a self-expanding metal stent: report of a case
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Endoscopic deployment of self-expanding metal stents offers an alternative to surgical intervention in rectocolonic obstructions. Reported clinical failures in the literature are all related to the site of stent placement. We report a case of serious intra-abdominal disease after technically and clinically successful stent deployment: a potentially dangerous situation of which the surgeon should be aware. A previously healthy 72-year-old female was referred to our department with symptoms of an obstructing colorectal tumor. Successful stent placement resulted in resolution of the obstructive condition. Three days after stent deployment, x-ray examinations revealed a small-bowel obstruction and emergency surgery was performed. Intraoperative findings demonstrated a segment of ileum fixated to the tumor in the small pelvis, resulting in the obstructive condition. Furthermore, a cecal perforation, probably caused by ischemic conditions developed before stent-decompression of the colon was revealed during the operation. The patient died in the postoperative course. We discuss the observation of patients treated with self-expanding metal stents based on the selection-strategy used to allocate patients to this specific treatment. We conclude that although a patient is eligible for treatment with self-expanding metal stents, large-bowel obstruction can be too "old" for stent-decompression, causing ischemic perforation of the colon. Furthermore, we underline the need to focus on the possibility of obstructions other than those being treated.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Diseases of the Colon and Rectum |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 11 |
Pages (from-to) | 1970-3 |
Number of pages | 4 |
ISSN | 0012-3706 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2004 |
ID: 34144957