Complications of Tracheobronchial Airway Stents
Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Washington, DC, September 24–27, 2000.
The opinions or assertions of the authors contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Air Force or Department of Defense.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to identify and analyze airway stent complications and to devise approaches to manage stent complications.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING
We conducted a retrospective review of patients from a tertiary medical center.
METHODS
Twenty-eight airway stents were placed in 23 patients for benign (n = 15) and malignant (n = 13) tracheobronchial diseases. All patients were followed clinically for signs of complications.
RESULTS
Nine complications (8 in those with benign disease and 1 in a patient with malignant disease) were identified and included stent migration (n = 3), excessive granulation tissue (n = 2), stent fracture (n = 1), poor patient tolerance (n = 2), and inability to place (n = 1). Avoidance and management strategies for stent complications are introduced.
CONCLUSION
Tracheobronchial stents provide minimally invasive therapy for significant airway obstruction. Stent complications are more frequently encountered in the long-term treatment of benign conditions. Stents can be successfully removed endoscopically if complications arise, but the longer a metallic stent is in place, the more difficult it is to remove.
SIGNIFICANCE
As airway stent use increases, proper management will be required to avoid and manage complications. This is the first report to focus on stent complications and their management.
