[Tracheobronchial stents--indications and possibilities]

16 silicone stents and 9 expandable metallic stents (Strecker-stents) were implanted in 22 patients (16 x tumors of central bronchial tree, 6 x stenosis of benign conditions). The silicone stents were mainly implanted in the trachea and main bronchi, the metallic stents in lobar bronchi. In all cases we succeeded in implantation without complications. With both stent models an immediate relief of dyspnea and respiratory failure was achieved in all cases. The average period of follow-up is 65 days, the longest 105 days (silicone stents) respectively 306 days (metallic stents). All stents were tolerated well besides one with a feeling of intrathoracic pressure. Complications were dislocation (1 x), occlusive tumor growth (1 x), granulations (1 x), suppurative bronchitis (2 x), growth of tissue through the wall of metallic stents (1 x) and restenosis by indurated secretions (2 x). Though the long term results were well with different types of stents, which are available today, the expandable stent woven of metallic wire, seems to fit best to clinical needs.