Avendaño-González et al. (2026)
Abstract
Introduction: Acute malignant obstruction of the left colon is an oncological emergency associated
with high morbidity, the risk of ostomy, and the need for rapid therapeutic decisions. The use of a
self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) as a bridge to surgery allows for endoscopic decompression
and delayed resection, although concerns regarding perforation and oncological safety persist.
Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of SEMS as a bridge to surgery versus
emergency surgery in adults with potentially resectable malignant left-sided colonic obstruction.
Methods: A systematic review updated in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The
systematic review and network meta-analysis by McHugh et al. (search up to August 2023; 5,225
records) served as the baseline search, with the synthesis restricted to direct comparisons
between SEMS and emergency resection. A targeted update was conducted covering the period
from January 2024 to April 30, 2026, using PubMed/PMC, Google Scholar, and SciELO,
alongside reference tracking, prioritizing publications with accessible full text. Outcomes
evaluated included mortality, morbidity, ostomy rates, primary anastomosis, minimally invasive
approaches, perforation, and oncological results. Results: Comparative evidence favors SEMS
regarding short-term surgical outcomes: lower overall morbidity, lower rates of permanent
ostomy, and a higher likelihood of primary anastomosis and minimally invasive surgery.
Randomized trials do not show a consistent reduction in mortality. Contemporary analyses reveal
no clear differences in overall or disease-free survival, although stent-related perforation remains
a significant oncological concern. Conclusions: In centers with endoscopic expertise, SEMS as a
bridge to surgery is a valid alternative to emergency surgery for selected patients with malignant
left-sided obstruction without perforation. Its primary benefit lies in reducing the immediate
surgical burden and the need for an ostomy.
Keywords: malignant bowel obstruction; colorectal cancer; colonic stent; SEMS; emergency
surgery; bridge to surgery; systematic review.
1. Introducción
La colocación endoscópica de un
SEMS puede restaurar el tránsito,
La obstrucción maligna del intestino
grueso aparece con mayor
permitir
estabilización
clínica,
estadificación y preparación para
una resección electiva. Sin embargo,
el fracaso técnico, la migración y
especialmente la perforación —
clínica o subclínica— han generado
frecuencia en el colon izquierdo y
puede ser la forma de presentación
inicial del cáncer colorrectal. La
cirugía de urgencia resuelve de
forma inmediata la obstrucción, pero
se realiza en un contexto de
distensión colónica, alteraciones
preocupación
incremento
por
del
un
posible
de
riesgo
diseminación tumoral.
hidroelectrolíticas
posibilidad de
y
menor
preparación
La guía ESGE 2020 recomienda
discutir el SEMS como puente a
preoperatoria, lo que incrementa la
complejidad quirúrgica la
probabilidad de ostomía.
y
cirugía,
mediante
decisión
compartida, en cáncer de colon
izquierdo potencialmente curable y
sin signos de perforación; además,
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