Introduction:

Patients with colonic obstruction are at risk for emergency resection, which is a risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity. In left-sided obstructive colon cancer, the principle of bridge-to-surgery is already recommended to reduce complications. From this treatment strategy, the obstruction treatment is derived. In this treatment strategy, bowel wall distention is reduced by minimizing stool production through laxatives and dietary measures. Short-term outcomes have already shown promising results. This study aims to evaluate long-term outcomes in patients treated with this obstruction treatment.

Methods:

This is a multicenter prospective study that included patients who presented with symptomatic colonic obstruction and radiologic confirmation of obstruction between May 2019 and August 2020 in the contributing hospitals. Patients with malignant and benign colonic obstruction were included. Follow-up in this study consisted of at least 36 months. Endpoints of the study included 1- and 3-year stoma and mortality rates.

Results:

Ninety-eight patients were included in this study. For the overall cohort complication, reoperation, and readmission rates after one year were 37%, 14%, and 10% respectively. Overall, 3-year mortality was 21%. The presence of a stoma after 1 year was 18%, and after 3 years 17% in this cohort.

Conclusion:

Long-term results of this study indicate that obstruction treatment has acceptable long-term outcomes in terms of mortality and stoma rates, compared to literature on emergency surgery and bridge-to-surgery alternatives. Permanent stoma rates are lower, compared to the literature on other treatment strategies in bowel obstruction. (AU)