Use of Silicone Tubes in the Management of Complex Airway Problems

Silicone airway stents are extremely useful for both temporary or long-term management of upper airway obstruction, especially in the proximal half of the trachea and in the subglottic region. They cannot migrate are well tolerated, relatively easy to manage, durable, and generally cause little or no injury to the underlying airway mucosa. They are particularly important as part of the management of subglottic strictures. For patients with postintubation tracheal or laryngotracheal stenosis they can be used to temporize for periods up to a year or two, until the patients' condition is optimal for proceeding with a resection or reconstruction.