Gianturco-Rösch Z stents in tracheobronchial stenoses

To evaluate expandable metallic Gianturco-Rösch Z (GRZ) stents for treatment of benign and malignant tracheobronchial stenoses.

Six patients, ages 45-73 years, were treated for severe dyspnea with placement of GRZ stents. Three patients had benign tracheal lesions (one tracheomalacia, two postoperative) and received uncovered GRZ stents. Three patients had malignant stenoses at the level of the carina; one received an uncovered stent and the other two received silicone-covered GRZ stents.

Two patients with benign lesions responded well to stent placement. One was asymptomatic for a year and then was lost to follow-up; the other improved substantially but died of end-stage lung disease 5 months after stent placement. A third patient with a benign high tracheal lesion did poorly; symptoms recurred secondary to inferior migration of a stent, which was removed surgically at 4 months. All patients with malignant lesions improved symptomatically after stent placement and remained without significant dyspnea until death (from 1 to 6 months).

Expandable GRZ stents are promising devices for treatment of benign lesions and offer effective palliation of malignant tracheobronchial stenoses.