The Role of Stents as Bridge to Surgery for Acute Left-Sided Obstructive Colorectal Cancer: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: The role of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) as a bridge to surgery for acute left-sided obstructive colorectal cancer has remained controversial.

Objective: To study the efficacy of this approach, we performed a meta-analysis at the gastrointestinal surgery center of Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (Eastern Hospital).

Methods: Two PubMed and science-direct electronic databases were searched up to December 30, 2017. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Results: We selected 8 RCTs articles, which included 497 cases. The directly stoma rates were significantly lower in the stent group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.46, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = 0.30-0.70, p = 0.0003). The successful primary anastomosis rates were significantly higher in the stent group (OR = 2.29, 95% CIs = 1.52-3.45, p < 0.0001). The post-procedural complication rates were significantly lower in the stent group (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.18-0.82, p = 0.01). However, tumor recurrence rates were significantly higher in the stent group (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.09-2.93, p = 0.02). Conclusions This meta-analysis confirms that SEMS placement could reduce direct stoma rate and increases the successful primary anastomosis rate; however, it was associated with a seemingly higher incidence of tumor recurrence.