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Expandable metal stents for tracheobronchial obstruction
A M Egan1, C Dennis, C D Flower
1Department of Radiology, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge.
Clinical Radiology
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Endoscopically inserted expanding stainless steel stents effectively treated malignant airway narrowing and post-transplant complications in 18 patients. The procedure was safe and well-tolerated, with satisfactory positioning in most cases.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Airway obstruction due to malignant disease or post-transplant complications poses significant challenges.
- Endoscopic stenting offers a minimally invasive approach to manage tracheobronchial tree narrowing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopically inserted expanding stainless steel stents.
- To assess stent performance in patients with malignant airway stenosis and post-transplant airway complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 18 patients undergoing stent insertion over 31 months.
- Stainless steel expanding stents were endoscopically placed.
- Patients included those with malignant tracheobronchial narrowing (n=12) and post-transplant airway issues (n=6).
Main Results:
- Stent placement was successful in 17 out of 18 patients.
- No complications were directly associated with the stent insertion procedure.
- Seven patients (38.9%) were alive at follow-up, including 3 with malignancy and 4 with transplant-related complications.
Conclusions:
- Endoscopic placement of expanding stainless steel stents is a safe and effective method for managing tracheobronchial narrowing.
- Stenting provides a viable treatment option for both malignant airway obstruction and airway complications following lung transplantation.