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Complications of tracheobronchial airway stents
Scott A Zakaluzny1, J David Lane, Eric A Mair
1Otolaryngology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Objective:
Our goal was to identify and analyze airway stent complications and to devise approaches to manage stent complications.
Study Design And Setting:
We conducted a retrospective review of patients from a tertiary medical center.
Methods:
Twenty-eight airway stents were placed in 23 patients for benign (n = 15) and malignant (n = 13) tracheobronchial diseases. All patients were followed clinically for signs of complications.
Results:
Nine complications (8 in those with benign disease and 1 in a patient with malignant disease) were identified and included stent migration (n = 3), excessive granulation tissue (n = 2), stent fracture (n = 1), poor patient tolerance (n = 2), and inability to place (n = 1). Avoidance and management strategies for stent complications are introduced.
Conclusion:
Tracheobronchial stents provide minimally invasive therapy for significant airway obstruction. Stent complications are more frequently encountered in the long-term treatment of benign conditions. Stents can be successfully removed endoscopically if complications arise, but the longer a metallic stent is in place, the more difficult it is to remove.
Significance:
As airway stent use increases, proper management will be required to avoid and manage complications. This is the first report to focus on stent complications and their management.