Self expanding
metal stents (SEMS) play an important role in the management of malignant obstructing lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. Traditionally, they have been used for palliation in malignant gastric outlet and colonic obstruction and esophageal
malignancy. The development of the polyflex
stent, which is a removable self expanding
plastic stent, allows temporary
stent insertion for benign
esophageal disease and possibly for patients undergoing
neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to
esophagectomy. Potential complications of SEMS insertion include perforation, tumour overgrowth or ingrowth, and
stent migration. Newer
stents are being developed with the aim of increasing technical and clinical success rates, while reducing complication rates. Other areas of development include biodegradable
stents for benign disease and radioactive or
drug-eluting stents for malignant disease. It is hoped that, in the future, newer
stents will improve our management of these difficult conditions and, possibly, provide prognostic as well as symptomatic benefit in the setting of malignant obstruction.