title: [Silicone tracheobronchial endoprosthesis].
abstract: Silicone endoprostheses are used to replace loss of support in tracheobronchial cartilage. The main silicone stents are similar to those of the Montgomery T tube, the Westaby, Dumon and Cooper-Hood prostheses. The major indications are malignant tumours and benign stenosis after anastomotic resection or graft. All have in common a degree of narrowing greater than 50%. An initial bronchoscopy enables a precise assessment of the zone to support. The prostheses are then put in place using a rigid bronchoscope. An annual bronchoscopic review is recommended associated with clinical supervision. Their removal is simple even after being in position for a long period. A multicentre study (Marseille, Saint-Etienne, Brescia and Barcelona) report their experience of 1574 prostheses positioned in 1058 patients. The localisation was tracheal (54%), left main bronchus (21%), right main bronchus (18%). The average time in place was 1.2 years for benign tumours(maximum 6.2 years) and four months for malignant tumours (maximum 4.7 years). Complications were rare and included migrations (9.5%), granulomas (7.9%) and obstructions (3.6%). Thanks to their being well tolerated, their simplicity in handling, silicone prostheses are currently an essential choice to re-establish patency of the airways in patients presenting with benign or malignant tracheobronchial pathology.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pneumologie Allergologie et Réanimation Respiratoire du Pr B. Blaive, Hôpital Pasteur, Nice.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dumon
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dumon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blaive
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D012828:Silicones; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014132:Trachea
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones