Self-expandable metallic airway stent insertion employing flexible bronchoscopy: preliminary results.
We describe 37 patients in whom 52 self-expandable metallic stents were successfully placed using a flexible bronchoscope. Indications for stenting were tracheobronchomalacia (n=13), neoplasia (n=20), and tracheal stenosis (n=4). Airway patency was restored in all patients. Symptoms improved in all but one patient. The median follow-up for all patients and the group of 16 patients alive has been 21 and 69.5 weeks, respectively. Complications have included granulomas and bronchitis. Migration or mucus plugging was not encountered. We conclude that metallic stents can be inserted safely using a flexible bronchoscope. At least in the short term, major complications are uncommon.
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
A
A
Dasgupta
B L
BL
Dolmatch
W J
WJ
Abi-Saleh
P N
PN
Mathur
A C
AC
Mehta
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000628:therapy; D001980:Bronchi; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000209:etiology; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000628:therapy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D018583:Pliability; D012449:Safety; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy
D008670:Metals