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Treatment of inoperable tracheobronchial obstructive lesions with the Palmaz stent
M Beer1, G Wittenberg, J Sandstede
1Institut für Röntgendiagnostik der Universität Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany.
Purpose:
The treatment of inoperable tracheobronchial stenoses with Palmaz stents is analyzed in terms of the clinical effect, typical complications, and long-term follow-up.
Methods:
Twenty-seven Palmaz stents were placed in 22 patients with the help of a rigid bronchoscope.
Results:
Stents were implanted in the distal trachea, the main bronchi, and the lower lobe bronchi. Twenty-one of 22 patients reported an immediate subjective improvement in their respiratory situation. The mean survival time was 12 months; in two patients the stents were well tolerated for up to 40 months. A redilation of three stents was successful up to 33 months. In three cases a dislocation of the stent was observed; after bronchoscopic retraction a new stent was successfully implanted in each case. CONCLUSIONoff Treatment of inoperable tracheobronchial stenoses with the Palmaz stent is a safe procedure that provides an immediate improvement of the patient's pulmonary situation. The Palmaz stent shows a minimal complication rate in the long-term follow-up.