Patients with malignant colorectal obstruction usually need an emergency surgery to restore luminal patency. However, traditional emergency surgery has high rates of complications and death, especially in patients with left colon cancer and rectal cancer. Self-expandable metallic stenting has been widely used in various benign and malignant colorectal strictures for more than 20 years. However, whether stent implantation will affect the long-term survival of patients and cause tumor metastasis are still highly controversial. Hence, the authors address the indications, contraindications and application of metal stent placement in colorectal benign and malignant obstruction, and combine the latest research advances, so as to provide reference for clinical treatment.