Palliative surgical outcome score (PSOS) in patients treated palliatively with self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) for malignant incurable colorectal obstruction

The palliative surgical outcome score (PSOS) was proposed for evaluation of the effect of palliative surgical interventions. As a surrogate measure for successful symptom control, it is defined as the proportion of days outside the hospital of the remaining life time up to six months after a palliative intervention. In this study we evaluate the PSOS in patients treated palliatively with self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) for incurable malignant colorectal obstruction. All eligible patients endoscopically treated with palliative intent with SEMSs were identified. Demographics and clinical characteristics, including complete follow-up, were recorded, and the PSOS was calculated. Non-parametric tests were used for comparisons, and survival was evaluated by univariable and multivariable analyses. Between 2005 and 2013, 116 patients (median age 71.5 years; 53.4% women) were identified. Most obstructions were caused by primary colorectal cancers. Technical- and clinical success rates were 94.0% and 87.1%, respectively. Procedure-related complications occurred in 17 (14.7%) of the patients, and most were minor. A PSOS>70 (regarded as excellent palliation) was achieved in 79 (68.1%) patients. This goal was significantly more often achieved in patients who survived at least 6 months than in those with shorter survival (p 70. However, in patients who survived at least 6 months (n = 69), a PSOS>70 was independently associated with better survival in the multivariable Cox analysis. PSOS could be used as a practical proxy or a pragmatic tool for the effectiveness of palliative interventions, when such interventions are compared. Clinical factors that could significantly add to the clinical decision-making and predict a PSOS>70 in an individual patient were not identified for this specific group of patients. •The score assesses symptom control in patients with advanced malignant disease.•Excellent palliation was achieved by endoscopic treatment with metal stent.•Procedure-related complications were few.•The score is a proxy for the effectiveness of palliative interventions.