Efficacy of airway stenting and nasogastric tube insertion in airway-esophageal fistula patients with airways...

Area of Science:

• Interventional Pulmonology
• Gastroenterology
• Oncology

Background:

• Airway-compromised airway-esophageal fistula (AEF) management is controversial, particularly regarding combined airway and esophageal stenting.
• Advanced malignancy is a common cause of AEF, impacting patient prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate survival prognosis and post-stent interventions in AEF patients with airway compromise due to advanced malignancy.
• To compare outcomes between patients who received airway stents and those who did not.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 17 AEF patients with airway compromise from advanced malignancy.
• Data collected included medical records, survival times, and post-stent interventions.
• Patients were categorized into stented and non-stented groups.

Main Results:

• Airway stenting was performed in 13/17 patients, with no migration observed.
• The median survival time was significantly longer in the stented group (9 months) compared to the non-stented group (1.25 months).
• Airway stent insertion, nasogastric tube, and chemoembolization were protective factors; larger fistulas and continued chemotherapy were risk factors for poor survival.

Conclusions:

• Airway stents and nasogastric tubes are likely preferred treatments for airway-compromised AEF patients.
• Airway stenting is generally tolerable, but requires regular bronchoscopic monitoring, especially in the first month.
• Close monitoring is essential to manage potential complications like granulation tissue formation.