title: Management of tracheobronchial strictures and fistulas: a report and review of literature.
abstract: The treatment of tracheobronchial (TB) strictures and fistulas is an exceedingly difficult problem; therefore, the management needs to be individualized. The recent development and use of self-expanding endotracheal and bronchial stents have allowed for the successful management of many of these clinical entities. Such expandable metallic stents have provided definite advantages over solid stents by potentially offering a suitable long-term treatment for patients with neoplastic airway obstruction and fistulas. The silicone stents, which can be easily removed, are useful in instances requiring short-term relief. In the case of lung transplantation, a continued major source of concern is the prevalence of anastomotic complications secondary to impaired healing. Use of silicon, balloon-expandable, and self-expandable wire stents has allowed for the successful management of this complex patient population. An aggressive surgical approach to resect stricture or fistula with benign etiology may still be warranted for those that are fit for such procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
authors.forename: Adam I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Riker
authors.forename: Wickii T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Vigneswaran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D015607:Stents; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*