Clinical outcomes of self-expandable metal stent and prognostic factors for stent patency in gastric outlet obstruction caused by gastric cancer

The aim of this study was to assess clinical outcomes of endoscopic stenting for a gastric outlet obstruction caused by gastric cancer and the prognostic factors for stent patency by reviewing medical records. Eighty-one stents were inserted into 75 patients (48 men, average age 66 years). The technical and clinical success rates were 98 and 87%, respectively. The median stent patency was 55 days (95% CI 40-70 days). The median survival was 79 days (95% CI 58-123 days). Stent reobstruction caused by tumor ingrowth or overgrowth occurred in 25 cases (31%). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that covered stents (odds ratio 0.29, 95% CI 0.11-0.76; P = 0.01) and chemotherapy after stent placement (odds ratio 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.91; P = 0.03) were significant prognostic factors for stent patency. This study found that endoscopic stenting is a safe and effective palliation treatment for malignant gastric outlet obstruction and a covered stent and chemotherapy are significant prognostic factors for stent patency.