BACKGROUND: Airway stenting is an alternative approach for relieving airway stenosis when lesions are inappropriate for single-stage reconstruction. The aim of this study was to present our experience using airway stent in the management of patients with tracheal stenosis. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 45 patients who underwent airway stenting during a 2-year period. Between June 2002 and August 2004, 45 patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy for tracheal stenosis using an Ultraflex stent (Microvasive; Boston Scientific, Boston, MA, USA), Hood stent (Hood Laboratories, Pembroke, MA, USA) and Montgomery T-tube (Boston Medical, Westborough, MA, USA). Clinical improvement, intraoperative, early and late postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Ultraflex stent was used in 14 patients, Hood stent in 9 and Montgomery T-tube in 22. The overall clinical improvement was 95.5%. Four per cent of the patients (2/45) had intraoperative complications, 8.8% (4/45) had early postoperative complications and 51% (23/45) had late postoperative complications. No significant difference was determined between stent type and complication rates. CONCLUSION: Rigid bronchoscopic insertion of airway stents for tracheal stenosis is a safe and effective procedure. No difference exists between stent type and clinical improvement, intraoperative and early and late postoperative complications.
BACKGROUND: Airway stenting is an alternative approach for relieving airway stenosis when lesions are inappropriate for single-stage reconstruction. The aim of this study was to present our experience using airway stent in the management of patients with tracheal stenosis. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 45 patients who underwent airway stenting during a 2-year period. Between June 2002 and August 2004, 45 patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy for tracheal stenosis using an Ultraflex stent (Microvasive; Boston Scientific, Boston, MA, USA), Hood stent (Hood Laboratories, Pembroke, MA, USA) and Montgomery T-tube (Boston Medical, Westborough, MA, USA). Clinical improvement, intraoperative, early and late postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Ultraflex stent was used in 14 patients, Hood stent in 9 and Montgomery T-tube in 22. The overall clinical improvement was 95.5%. Four per cent of the patients (2/45) had intraoperative complications, 8.8% (4/45) had early postoperative complications and 51% (23/45) had late postoperative complications. No significant difference was determined between stent type and complication rates. CONCLUSION: Rigid bronchoscopic insertion of airway stents for tracheal stenosis is a safe and effective procedure. No difference exists between stent type and clinical improvement, intraoperative and early and late postoperative complications.