Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Design of a Biocompatible Drug-Eluting Tracheal Stent in Mice with Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Published on: January 21, 2020
Treatment of Central Airway Stenosis With Self-Expanding Y Stents: Easy and Innovative Technique With a Single Wire
Gaetana Messina1, Giuseppe Vicario1, Davide Gerardo Pica1
1Thoracic Surgery Unit, Università Degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Campania, Italy.
Objectives:
Central airway obstruction (CAO) involves the narrowing of the trachea, carina, and main bronchi. This study describes a technique for placing a self-expanding metallic Y-stent using a single guidewire for the palliative management of inoperable malignant stenosis near the carina, evaluating its efficacy and safety.
Materials And Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with severe malignant carinal stenosis who were treated with a customized self-expanding metallic Y-stent at our institution between January 2020 and December 2024. In all cases, the left bronchial branch of the stent was positioned using the Seldinger technique with a single guidewire.
Results:
The single-guidewire Seldinger technique simplified the procedure, resulting in a significantly shorter stent placement time (38 vs. 51 min; p < 0.0001) and reduced general anesthesia time (53 vs. 71 min; p ≤ 0.0001) compared to a double-guidewire approach. Furthermore, it minimized the number of required X-ray exposures (0-1 vs. 4-5 images; p < 0.0001) and lowered the risk of guidewire dislodgement. No immediate complications were reported.
Conclusion:
The placement of a self-expanding Y-stent using a single left-sided guidewire is an efficacious and feasible approach for maintaining airway patency in patients with severe malignant carinal stenosis, offering a simpler and more efficient procedural alternative.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Trachea
Anatomical Features:
Location: About half of the trachea is situated in the neck, anterior to the esophagus, and extends from the larynx (at the level of...
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Tracheostomy Decannulation
Description of the Procedure
Decannulation refers to the permanent removal of the tracheostomy tube, signaling the resolution of the condition that initially necessitated the tracheostomy. The process requires a well-coordinated interplay between...

