Use of a retrievable metallic stent internally coated with silicone to treat airway obstruction.
OBJECTIVE
The authors hypothesized that internally covered stents can reduce the rates of stent migration or mucous retention. The authors performed this study to report their experience with use of a retrievable metallic stent internally coated with silicone in patients with benign or malignant central airway obstructions.


METHODS
From 2004 to 2007, the authors performed fluoroscopically guided placement of a retrievable metallic stent internally coated with silicone in 26 consecutive patients with benign (n = 5) and malignant (n = 21) central airway obstructions. Stents were woven from a single thread of a 0.2-mm-diameter nitinol wire in a tubular configuration and internally covered with silicone membrane.


RESULTS
Stent placement was technically and clinically successful in 93% (25/26) and 85% (22/26) of the patients, respectively. There were eight complications (31%) after stent placement, including tumor overgrowth (n = 2), stent migration (n = 1), symptomatic granulation tissue formation (n = 1), severe pain (n = 1), improper stent location (n = 1), symptomatic sputum retention (n = 1) and esophagobronchial fistula (n = 1). Because of complications, five stents were removed with a retrieval hook under fluoroscopic guidance without difficulty. The median survival period and stent patency were 150.0 days +/- 91.4 and 143.0 days +/- 26.7, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a retrievable metallic stent internally coated with silicone is a safe and effective method for relieving dyspnea, with adequate stent patency in patients with benign or malignant central airway obstructions. This stent design seems to be less prone to migration or mucous retention.
Kim
Jin Hyoung
JH
Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1, Poongnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-736, Republic of Korea.
Shin
Ji Hoon
JH
Song
Ho-Young
HY
Lee
Se Chul
SC
Kim
Kyung Rae
KR
Park
Jung-Hoon
JH
D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012828:Silicones / Q000737:chemistry*; D015607:Stents
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D008670:Metals; D012828:Silicones