Therapeutic bronchoscopy improves spirometry, quality of life, and survival in central airway obstruction.
BACKGROUND
Central airway obstruction (CAO) occurs in patients with primary or metastatic lung malignancy and nonmalignant pulmonary disorders and results in significant adverse effects on respiratory function and quality of life.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of therapeutic bronchoscopic interventions on spirometry, dyspnea, quality of life, and survival in patients with CAO.


METHODS
We prospectively studied patients who underwent therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy for CAO. Spirometry, San Diego Shortness of Breath questionnaire (SOBQ), and SF-36 questionnaire responses were obtained before the procedure and at follow-up 6-8 weeks after the procedure.


RESULTS
Fifty-three patients (24 malignant and 29 nonmalignant CAO), who underwent successful rigid bronchoscopic intervention, were enrolled. Airway stent placement and various debulking techniques including mechanical debridement and heat therapy were used. After bronchoscopy, there was a significant increase in forced vital capacity (2.2 ± 0.91 l before, 2.7 ± 0.80 l after, p = 0.009) and forced expiratory volume at 1 s (1.4 ± 0.60 l before, 1.8 ± 0.67 l after, p = 0.002). The SOBQ score improved from 55.8 ± 30.1 before the procedure to 37.9 ± 27.25 after the procedure (p = 0.002). In the SF-36, there was an improvement in almost all domains, with statistically significant improvement seen in several domains. Benefits were seen independent of the etiology of CAO, site of intervention or stent placement. The patients with malignant CAO, in whom airway patency could not be achieved, had a poor survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Alleviation of CAO with therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy results in improvement in spirometry, shortness of breath, quality of life, and survival.
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., USA.
Kamran
K
Mahmood
Momen M
MM
Wahidi
Samantha
S
Thomas
Angela Christine
AC
Argento
Neil A
NA
Ninan
Emily C
EC
Smathers
Scott L
SL
Shofer
D055011:Ablation Techniques; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013147:Spirometry; D015607:Stents; D014797:Vital Capacity