It is essential to engage patients and families in goals of care discussions to promote understanding of the palliative intent of different malignant bowel obstruction interventions. Research is needed to assist clinicians in decision making to provide patients at the end of life with appropriate care. Criteria for the selection of candidates for palliative surgery are needed to avoid significant complications and overly aggressive treatment at the end of life when the focus is maintaining and enhancing the quality of life of patients.
Golob et al. (2026) studied this question.