Development of a new insertion technique and a new device for the placement of bifurcated airway stents.

We developed a new insertion technique and designed a forceps device for the placement of bifurcated airway stents; 131 of 142 endoscopically placed tracheobronchial Y-stents were inserted with a forceps and a laryngoscope. For the last 52 stent implantations we used the new stent forceps. It was determined to be a simple and safe method without major complications. In 11 cases alternative techniques had to be used. Technique and device are described in detail.