Small stents solve big problems.

Small stents solve big problems. Endoscopic intestinal stent implantation relieves intestinal obstruction

Recently, 92-year-old Mrs. Sun came to the Gastroenterology Department of Hospital for treatment due to not having passed gas or defecated for a week, accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. CT examination revealed that Mrs. Sun's intestinal obstruction was caused by rectal cancer. Ma Shenggao, the deputy director of the Gastroenterology Department, introduced that in clinical practice, the traditional way to solve cancerous intestinal obstruction is surgical operation. However, considering that the elderly Mrs. Sun is old and weak, the surgical operation is highly invasive. After a comprehensive assessment, it was decided to perform intestinal obstruction stent implantation for the patient.

The operation lasted nearly an hour. During the operation, the patient remained conscious throughout and had no discomfort at all. After the operation, the patient immediately passed gas and defecated, and the abdominal distension and abdominal pain were significantly relieved. On the third day after the operation, the patient resumed a normal diet, was able to defecate and pass gas normally, and was discharged smoothly.

What is intestinal obstruction?

Any obstruction of intestinal contents' movement caused by any reason, resulting in intestinal dilation above the blocked area, accumulation of intestinal contents and peristaltic dysfunction, is collectively referred to as intestinal obstruction.

Patients with intestinal obstruction usually present with four typical symptoms - "pain, vomiting, distension and closure". The pain is acute abdominal colic. "吐" refers to nausea or vomiting. Distension is abdominal distension. Stop flatulence and defecation. When the above symptoms occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What is intestinal obstruction stent implantation?

as a permanent or temporary treatment for malignant obstruction of colorectal cancer and create conditions for elective surgery.

First, the lesion causing intestinal obstruction is found under endoscopy. Under the radiology line, the guide wire is passed over the lesion and placed at the distal end of the obstructive lesion. Then, a stent is implanted along the guide wire. After the stent was repositioned, the narrowed area at the obstruction site was expanded to a certain extent by the stent. Thus, the obstruction was partially relieved, and the related digestive tract obstruction symptoms of the patient, such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, vomiting, and cessation of flatulence and defecation, could be significantly relieved.

Generally, immediately after the stent was implanted, the patient passed gas and defecated, and the subjective symptoms improved significantly. For patients with colon tumors, radical surgery can usually be performed 7 to 10 days after stent placement. There is no need for a fistula, and a primary anastomosis can be achieved. One operation can complete the work of the previous two surgeries.

After the stent is placed, it is important to consume low-residue and soft food to prevent indigestible food residues from causing stent blockage or displacement.

Indications for intestinal stent implantation

For advanced patients who have lost the opportunity for radical surgery, as a permanent palliative treatment method, to avoid enterostomy and its complications;

It can be applied to patients with high-risk surgical factors, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, coagulation mechanism disorders, etc., as a permanent or temporary treatment measure;

Relieve acute obstruction, create a favorable opportunity for primary tumor resection and anastomosis, improve clinical efficacy, and reduce postoperative complications;

Treat stenosis and obstruction caused by extraperitoneal compression.

The advantages of intestinal stent implantation

The minimally invasive endoscopic method is adopted to relieve intestinal obstruction, causing less pain and fewer complications for patients.

By inserting a colonic metal stent for bridging, intestinal obstruction was relieved before the operation, transforming the emergency surgery into an elective one.

Patients can have their intestines better cleaned before the operation and undergo tumor assessment, creating conditions for laparoscopic resection, primary anastomosis, combined liver metastasis resection, etc., thereby reducing patient injury, lowering the rate of fistula and the incidence of complications, and reducing secondary surgeries.

For patients who cannot undergo surgical resection, endoscopic colonic metal stent placement can replace palliative surgery to achieve the goal of relieving intestinal obstruction.

Patients with metal stents implanted can receive chemotherapy earlier than those undergoing surgery, which is conducive to shortening the length of hospital stay and improving the prognosis of patients.