title: Inherent problems of tracheo-bronchial stenting in patients with tracheostomy.
abstract: In cases of permanent tracheostomy after laryngectomy, tracheo-bronchial stenting may cause serious respiratory problems due to the absence of airway humidification and the inability to cough forcefully. We report 2 patients with permanent tracheostomy who underwent stenting and developed recurrent episodes of asphyxia due to stent obstruction by dried mucus. The indication for stenting of the airways must be established with great care in patients with permanent tracheostomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic and Hyperbaric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Medical School, Graz, Austria. jo.lindenmann@meduni-graz.at
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindenmann
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Porubsky
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matzi
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Freyja Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Smolle-Juettner
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*