Introduction: Gastric outlet obstruction is a complication that can occur in the evolution of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) resolve this situation by endoscopy, thus avoiding a laparoscopic gastroenterotomy. The aim of our study is to report our experience in the palliative treatment with SEMS of gastroduodenal neoplasic obstruction at a monovalent gastroenterology institute in Mar del Plata.
Patients and methods: All patients with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction of neoplasic origin who fit for SEMS between January 2006 and February 2011 were included. Data were collected regarding the patients' clinical characteristics as well as the type of tumor and the efficacy of the procedure measured according to success and complication rates, length of hospital stay and evaluation of clinical benefit, according to performance status scales and gastric outlet obstruction score (GOOS).
Results: A total of 17 prosthesis placed in 16 patients were analyzed. In all cases the procedure was completed successfully. The intervention was performed on an outpatient basis in 12 patients (75%). One patient presented within 7 days gastric haemorrhage related with the stent, who was early treated with argon plasma. Late expected com- plications due to prolonged survival were observed in 60% of patients. None of them was serious and resolved spontaneously or by endoscopic treatment. Average survival was 117 days (range 3 to 300 days) and most patients showed subjective improvement in GOOS scale.
Conclusions: SEMS have a high rate of technical and clinical success. However, they are scarcely known in our field. They present an insignificant number of early complications and the resolution of later ones is quite easy. An improvement in GOOS scale and quality of life is achieved.