Decannulation in tracheal stenosis deemed inoperable is possible after long-term airway stenting

Decannulation is the ultimate therapeutic goal for patients who undergo stenting because of inoperable benign tracheal stenosis. In this study, our objectives were to evaluate whether long-term airway stenting allows decannulation in patients with benign tracheal stenosis who were deemed inoperable and to identify possible predictive factors for successful decannulation (SD).

Retrospective cohort study including all patients with inoperable benign tracheal stenosis who underwent tracheal stenting in our tertiary-care university-based institution from 1998 to 2008. For benign stenosis, we use only silicone stents (T tubes, Dumon stents, and Y stents). The main outcome was SD, which was defined as removal of the tracheal stent followed by absence of respiratory symptoms and no requirement for new dilation procedures for at least 6 months. A Kaplan-Meier curve was built to evaluate SD in 5 years, and we used a Cox model to evaluate predictors for a SD.

Ninety-two patients were included, and during the study period 21 were decannulated. However, 2 of them had to undergo new airway procedures and were considered to represent failure. Therefore, 19 patients were successfully decannulated. According to the Kaplan-Meier estimate, the SD rate in 5 years was 27.5%. The mean follow-up time after SD was 34.3 ± 33.9 months (range, 6 to 108 months). Cox regression showed only 1 significant factor: tracheostomy before stent insertion caused a threefold increase in the likelihood of the patient remaining with a tracheal stent (p = 0.048).

Tracheal stenting may be considered a curative therapeutic approach in as many as 27.5% of patients with inoperable benign tracheal stenosis.