Airway stenting for unresectable esophageal cancer.
Because of the close anatomical relationship between the upper esophagus and the tracheobronchial tree, many patients with advanced esophageal cancer will suffer from airway complications. These include airway stenosis or esophago-respiratory fistulation. Airway stenting is proven to offer effective palliation for patients with both these complications. When managing such patients, the thoracic surgeon faces different options in terms of pre-stenting investigation, choice of stents and stenting strategy. Although airway stenting is a safe and effective procedure in experienced hands, there are nonetheless complications which await the unwary. This review discusses the currently available options for airway stenting in these patients, and offers practical advice on avoiding the pitfalls.
Sihoe
Alan D L
AD
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Wan
Innes Y P
IY
Yim
Anthony P C
AP
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D015607:Stents