[Airway stent for airway obstruction caused by esophageal carcinoma]

The result of airway stent and adjuvant therapy for airway obstruction caused by advanced esophageal carcinoma was evaluated. In Tokyo Metropolitan Ohkubo Hospital, four cases of esophageal carcinoma with airway obstruction were treated by tracheo-bronchial stent. Two were primary cases and the others were recurrent cases. Three of the patients demonstrated progressive dyspnea due to airway obstruction, and the other complained of bloody discharge. An ultraflex non-covered stent was used cases. After insertion of the airway stent. The patients' dyspnea improved immediately. One patient was discharged without adjuvant treatment, and died of the cancer one month later. Adjuvant treatment was adopted in the other three cases. The size of the tumor decreased, but fistula formation was observed in two cases. An airway stent is an effective treatment with immediate results for dyspnea caused by airway obstruction. Adjuvant treatment after stent placement is often associated with fistula formation. It should be considered carefully.