An unusual complication of a colonic wallstent.

We report a case of delayed perforation of normal colonic wall by the wire tips of an enteral Wallstent, which had successfully been used to treat a malignant obstruction of the sigmoid colon. Perforation occurred 5 days following insertion and despite surgery, resulted in fatality. Though perforation at the tumor site is a recognized complication during or following colonic stent placement, it is rare for the ends of the stent to perforate through nondiseased bowel wall. The site of the obstructing lesion and thus the position of the stent on a bend in the colon may be a contributory factor.