Self-expanding stainless steel stent application in rectosigmoid stricture.

In recent years, several reports on the experimental and clinical applications of the Gianturco stent (self-expanding stainless steel stent) have been published. However, to our knowledge, the use of stents in rectosigmoid strictures has not been reported. We used self-expanding stainless steel stents to dilate rectosigmoid strictures caused by nonresectable recurrent neoplasm. Insertion and dilation (sigmoid colon and rectum) in two patients were successful. Accordingly, these patients were able to maintain bowel activity and avoid palliative loop colostomy. We believe that this procedure is effective for nonresectable rectosigmoid stricture due to recurrent neoplasm.