In our patients with left-sided malignant colon and rectal obstruction, placement of a preoperative stent prevented 17 (94 percent) of 18 of unnecessary operations and a large number of colostomies after elective surgery. These results were obtained with a lower severe complication rate as well as a shorter hospital stay.

Compared with hysterectomy, UAE is safe and effective for treatment of bleeding fibroids, necessitates a shorter hospital stay, and results in fewer major complications.

Implantation of colorectal stents is a safe treatment of acute malignant colonic obstruction before resection.

Colorectal stent placement resulted in successful palliation of acute colonic obstruction in patients with disseminated neoplastic disease.

Metallic stents may represent an effective temporary treatment for certain benign colonic conditions in the absence of other therapeutic alternatives.