title: [Complications and the management of fully covered retrievable metal stent placement in benign tracheal stenosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study complications and the management of the use of covered retrievable expandable metallic stents in the treatment of benign tracheal stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fully covered retrievable metal stents were placed in 21 patients with benign tracheal stenosis. Stent-related complications and the management were reviewed and analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight fully covered retrievable metallic stents were successfully placed fluoroscopically in 21 patients. Stents were removed 4 - 12 months [mean (5.5 ± 2.2) mouths] after placement in all patients. Stent-related complications included granulation tissue (n = 18), stent migration (n = 4), stent expectoration (n = 2), halitosis (n = 8), mucous retention (n = 21) and mucus plugging (n = 1). Granulation tissue was removed with a carbon dioxide laser in 2 patients. Stents were replaced for 2 times and 3 times respectively in 2 patients after stent migration and stent expectoration. An additional stent was placed in 2 patients after stent migration. Symptom of halitosis was relieved after prolonged course of systemic antibiotics treatment in 8 patients. Symptom of mucous retention was relieved with nebulized saline and N-acetylcysteine saline inhalation. Mucous plug was expelled after severe coughing after suctioning using an aspirator in one patient. There were statistically significant differences in stricture diameter, rank of tachypnea and pulmonary function (FEV(1)) in all 21 patients before stent insertion and after stents removal. No patient has experienced recurrence during the follow-up period of 1 - 36 months [mean (23.2 ± 8.0) months].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fully covered retrievable metallic stent may be a safe and effective in benign tracheal stenosis. Stent-related complications may be effectively managed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Zheng-yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yong-li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guang-li
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xi-hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Zhen-chang
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jian-zhong
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Guang-zhong
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xiao-ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000497:Alloys; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D008670:Metals