Self-Expanding Metallic Stenting Emerges as Safe Alternative for Left-Sided Colonic Obstruction

Emergency colonic resection has long been the standard treatment for left-sided malignant colonic obstruction, but self-expanding metallic stenting and decompressing stomas are emerging as viable alternatives. A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and propensity score matching studies found that stenting and stomas both significantly reduced permanent stoma rates, with stenting also facilitating minimally invasive surgery and reducing overall morbidity. Stenting also showed lower 90-day mortality compared to resection, making it a safe and effective management strategy.