Colorectal Stenting as Bridge to Surgery

Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide and represents the most common cause of colon obstruction. Historically, the treatment of acute neoplastic obstruction is represented by a surgical resection in an emergency context, an approach with a high risk of postoperative complications and mortality. Recently, the use of a colonic stent, endoscopically released to overcome obstruction, has been proposed. The purpose of colon stenting is to transform a case that has required emergency surgery into an elective surgical case. It aims to reduce morbidity, mortality, and stoma creation. However, concern was raised about the long-term survival and cancer safety of this new approach, so the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy initially did not recommend the stent as a bridge to surgery as a standard treatment in left colon obstruction. But recent scientific evidence has shown that this approach is effective and safe as it reduces postoperative complications, th...