Evaluation of bronchoscopic placement of tracheobronchial silicone stents: an Ain Shams University Hospital experience

Abstract

Therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy with tracheobronchial stenting using silicone stents is a well-established procedure in the management of malignant and benign tracheobronchial stenosis. However, there is limited experience with this technique in Egypt. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the results of our experience with bronchoscopic placement of tracheobronchial silicone stents. Between January 2007 and December 2011, 44 Dumon stents were inserted in the central airways of 40 patients using rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. Data related to stent application were collected from patient’s records. Of the 40 patients with either benign (20) or malignant (20) tracheal stenosis, stents were indicated in stabilizing airway patency after tumor debulking, counteracting extrinsic compression, sealing malignant fistulas, and treating complex-type benign strictures in 22.5, 27.5, 7.5, and 42.5% of patients, respectively. One stent was placed in 36 (90%) patients and two stents in four (10%) patients. Four (10%) patients required two stent procedures for adequate airway stabilization. Procedural complication in the form of trivial perforation of the bronchial wall occurred in one (2.5%) patient. Stent migration occurred in 10% of the patients, granuloma formation in 17.5%, tumor ingrowth in 7.5%, and stent obstruction by mucus secretions in 7.5% during the first 3 months after stent insertion, with an overall complication rate of 45%. All complications were non-life-threatening and all were reversibly managed. There was no mortality resulting from stent placement recorded during the first 3 months after stent insertion. This study showed that bronchoscopic placement of Dumon silicone tracheobronchial stent is easily applied and effective in the maintenance of airway patency in malignant and benign tracheobronchial stenosis. Non-life-threatening stent-related complications occur but are easily managed. Egypt J Broncho 2014 8:38–43