The optimal interval between self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) insertion and surgery remains controversial in malignant left-sided large-bowel obstruction (MLLO), especially with respect to oncologic aspects.
<br>The aim of this study is to examine whether the time interval to surgery is related to oncologic outcomes.
<br>A total of 149 patients underwent surgery after SEMS insertion. There were no significant differences between the early and late groups in the 5-year DFS (78.0% vs 72.4%; P = 0.513) and the OS (74.2% vs 75.7%; P = 0.864) rates in all MLLO. Subgroup analysis showed that there were significant differences between the two groups for DFS and OS in stage II MLLO. The multivariate Cox regression analysis in stage II MLLO demonstrated that the time to surgery was a prognostic factor for DFS (HR, 2.051; 95% CI, 1.528–42.136; P = 0.014) and for OS (HR, 4.947; 95% CI, 1.520–16.107; P = 0.008).
<br>The time to surgery was demonstrated not to be a significant prognostic factor in all MLLO. However, it was a prognostic factor for patients with stage II MLLO.
