[The use of self-expanding metal stents as treatment for colonic stenosis].

An estimated 14% of patients diagnosed with colonic cancer present with acute obstruction. An increasing number of colonic obstructions is observed on the basis of benign causes. The use of a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) is one of the treatment options, and in this review the background and the recommendations for the application in different settings is described. The use of SEMS has clinical outcomes similar to acute resection and is the first line of choice in palliation. Moreover, recent studies have shown SEMS to be an efficient and safe treatment for benign colonic stenosis.