Should the MUHC approve the use of colorectal stents?
McGregor M
Record ID 32003000489
English
Authors' objectives:
Colorectal stents are used to relieve acute lower bowel obstruction. They cost approximately $2200 each. The Technology Assessment Unit (TAU) has been requested to give an opinion on the use of this technology at the MUHC.
Authors' results and conclusions:
There are two situations in which colorectal stents are used: For the relief of obstruction caused by cancer before proceeding to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (as a "bridge to surgery"), and for the relief of obstruction when the cancer is inoperable (as palliation). In both situations the only alternative form of management is the operation of colostomy.
Based on a systematic review of 29 case series reporting 598 attempted stent insertions, it can be concluded that stents offer a relatively safe and effective alternative to colostomy in both the above situations, and when used for palliation offer a significantly superior quality of life.
No major increase in stent use is anticipated in the short term, but some slow increase seems likely with the passage of time.
Authors' recommendations:
The TAU committee recommends that the MUHC approve the use of colorectal stents for the relief of large bowel obstruction, both for palliation and whenever clinically indicated as a bridge to ultimate surgical resection.
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.mcgill.ca/tau/publications/2003
Year Published:
2003
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Colorectal Neoplasms
- Colostomy
- Costs and Cost Analysis
- Stents
Contact
Organisation Name:
Technology Assessment Unit of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)
Contact Address:
Technology Assessment Unit of the MUHC, Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 5252 boul. de Maisonneuve, Bureau 3F.50, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3S5
Contact Name:
nandini.dendukuri@mcgill.ca
Contact Email:
nandini.dendukuri@mcgill.ca
Copyright:
Technology Assessment Unit of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.