title: Efficacy and tolerability of airway stents.
abstract: The function of airway stents is to keep the tubular structures open and stable. Their insertion is essentially indicated for intrinsic obstruction or extrinsic compression of the airway, fistulae or tracheobronchomalacia. The aim of this study was to determine the tolera bility and efficacy of airway stents in situations in which their insertion was vital. A retrospective study of airway stent insertion with rigid bronchoscopy (23 patients) was carried out over a two year period (2006-2007) at the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques Unit. We assessed indication, efficacy, tolerability, complications and exact insertion based on chest CT imaging. In all situations Dumon flexible silicon stents (Tracheobronxane were used, with the need for complementary techniques such as laser therapy and mechanical dilation having been previously evaluated by flexible bronchoscopy. The authors conclude that stent insertion has no complications and good tolerability in the majority of advanced stage oncological situations with indication for palliative management.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Pneumologia dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra/Pulmonolgy Service, HUC, Coimbra. carlavalente77@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catarino
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jorge Ferreira
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robalo Cordeiro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014132:Trachea