Interventional Bronchoscopy Using Flexible Bronchoscope and Metallic Stent without Fluoroscopy to Liberate a Patient from Acute Respiratory Failure Due to Esophageal Cancer-Related Tracheal Invasion-A Case Report

Abstract

Esophageal cancer with airway invasion can cause central airway obstruction. Acute respiratory failure is 1 of the most severe complications of patients with central airway obstruction, and in these patients, interventional bronchoscopic procedures with implantation of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) can facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation. We describe a modified method that was used to successfully liberate an esophageal cancer patient who was intubated with a 6.5-mm endotracheal tube (ETT) and who was ventilator-dependent due to advanced esophageal cancer-related central airway obstruction. We implanted an Ultraflex covered stent using a flexible bronchoscope without insertion through the 6.5-mm ETT and the patient was weaned from the ventilator shortly after the procedure.