Short-Term Outcomes of Self-Expandable Metallic Stent versus Decompression Tube for Malignant Colorectal Obstruction: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Data.

Purpose: To compare the short-term outcomes between self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) and decompression tubes (DT) for malignant colorectal obstruction. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed from inception to 2018/12/6 covering Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane library. Methodological assessments of eligible studies were performed by using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The Revman software (version 5.3) was used in our statistical analysis. Results: Totally 7 cohort studies were enrolled in our meta-analysis. All the 7 eligible studies proved to be high quality according to the NOS scale. Patients receiving SEMS had higher clinical success rates, higher laparoscopic surgery rates, and higher primary anastomosis rates compared with patients receiving DT. Conclusions: Based on evidence from eastern countries, SEMS placement is an effective procedure that treats malignant colorectal obstruction. Compared with DT placement, patients receiving SEMS may benefit from higher clinical success rates, higher laparoscopic surgery rates, and higher primary anastomosis rates.