Management of Malignant Left-Side Colonic Obstruction Using Self-Expandable Metal Stents as a Bridge to Elective Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review

The clinical success of SEMS placement as a BTS strategy is contingent upon rigorous patient selection, coordinated multidisciplinary team involvement, and the availability of experienced endoscopists and surgical teams. When these prerequisites are met, SEMS offers an effective means of converting an acute surgical emergency into an elective procedure, thereby mitigating perioperative risk and improving patient-centered outcomes. However, the lack of robust long-term oncological data and the limited penetration of stenting expertise across healthcare institutions remain major impediments to broader adoption. Continued efforts to generate high-quality evidence and promote structured training programs are essential to fully define the role of SEMS in the management of malignant bowel obstruction.