Predictors of symptom recurrence and survival in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction treated with self-expanding metal stents

Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) poses a substantial symptomatic burden. While various therapeutic options exist, self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are a common palliative choice for patients who are ineligible for surgery. We studied SEMS outcomes to identify factors influencing stent dysfunction and patient survival. A multi-centre, retrospective review of 190 patients with GOO undergoing SEMS at three tertiary hospitals was performed over 2016-2022. Technical success, clinical success and adverse outcomes were recorded. Predictors of stent dysfunction and survival were evaluated using multivariate regression. Technical success was achieved in 186/190 (97.9%) and clinical success in 156/186 (83.9%), defined as post-procedural gastric outlet obstruction symptom score (GOOSS) ≥2. Eighty-two (44.1%) patients experienced an adverse event with stent occlusion the most common (23.1%). Approximately one-third (32.3%) underwent a repeat intervention. Mean stent patency time was 67 days (standard deviation=76), and median post-stent survival was 95 days (37-197). Covered and partially covered SEMS carried three times the risk of stent dysfunction compared to uncovered SEMS (odds ratio 3.06, p=0.008). Mortality predictors were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ≥2 (p=0.03), extrinsic outlet obstruction (p=0.05) and presence of ascites (p=