Bowel function following insertion of self‐expanding metallic stents for palliation of colorectal cancer

Abstract

Failure of contrast to pass through the obstructing lesion may predict those cases where stenting will not be technically possible. Median survival following SEMS insertion is encouraging in this series, but bowel function is often poor. Expected bowel function should be discussed fully when consenting patients for a SEMS, particularly those with metastatic disease who are otherwise fit for resectional surgery.