Y Ducic1, R S Khalafi. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas South Western Medical Center in Dallas, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential utility of a new endoscopically placed expandable tracheal stent in the treatment of benign symptomatic stenoses of the cervical trachea. STUDY DESIGN: Pilot study utilizing a prospectively followed case series. METHODS: An initial group of six patients undergoing stent placement was examined with rigid and flexible endoscopy under anesthesia immediately following stent placement and at postoperative 6 to 8 weeks. Subsequently each patient was followed clinically for a minimum of 6 months. RESULTS: All stents were well tolerated with no observed complications. Immediate reversal of symptomatic airway obstruction without the need for adjunctive tracheotomy was noted in every patient. At 6 weeks, endoscopic confirmation of complete intraluminal mucosalization without formation of any granulation tissue or scar bands within the stented areas was noted in each case. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary pilot study supports the use of nitinol expandable tracheal stents as an alternative in the treatment of benign symptomatic tracheal stenoses.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential utility of a new endoscopically placed expandable tracheal stent in the treatment of benign symptomatic stenoses of the cervical trachea. STUDY DESIGN: Pilot study utilizing a prospectively followed case series. METHODS: An initial group of six patients undergoing stent placement was examined with rigid and flexible endoscopy under anesthesia immediately following stent placement and at postoperative 6 to 8 weeks. Subsequently each patient was followed clinically for a minimum of 6 months. RESULTS: All stents were well tolerated with no observed complications. Immediate reversal of symptomatic airway obstruction without the need for adjunctive tracheotomy was noted in every patient. At 6 weeks, endoscopic confirmation of complete intraluminal mucosalization without formation of any granulation tissue or scar bands within the stented areas was noted in each case. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary pilot study supports the use of nitinol expandable tracheal stents as an alternative in the treatment of benign symptomatic tracheal stenoses.
Authors: S Sasano; T Onuki; T Adachi; K Oyama; T Ikeda; M Kanzaki; H Kuwata; M Sakuraba; T Matsumoto; S Nitta Journal: Jpn J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Date: 2001-05