Metallic stent implantation in the treatment of malignant tracheal stenosis under general anaesthesia

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of the tracheal stent implantation for treatment of malignant tracheal stenosis under general anaesthesia. Methods Eighteen patients with malignant tracheal stenosis underwent preoperative 64-slice spiral CT scan and airway reconstruction. The stenotic sites were located in main tracheal trunk(5 patients),in right main bronchus( 1 patient),in trachea and left main bronchus (4 patients),in trachea and right main bronchus (3 patients),in main tracheal trunk and bilateral main bronchus(5 patients).The degree of stenosis was rated 51％ to 70％ in 7 cases,71％ to 90％ in 11 cases.All patients,17 patients of ASA grade 1V and 1 patient of grade Ⅲ,presented with severe dyspnea. Under general anaesthesia,implantation of metallic stent was performed through the sputum aspiration hole of the connecting tubing with DSA guidance.The NBP,ECG,RR,SaO2 of the patients were recorded and compared with t test during the entire procedure. At the end of the procedure,relief of dyspnea,complications related to anesthesia and operation were recorded. Results The success rate of stent placement was 18/18,and dyspnea was significantly relived in all patients. Slightly bloody sputum occurred in 7 cases.The stent was obstructed by sputum in 1 case,and the patient was treated with medication.There were no severe complications.The operative course were rated 11 to 9 in 17 cases,and 6 to 8 in 1 case.All 18 patients were cooperative during the procedure.Sixteen patients rated the procedure as very comfortable and 2 rated the procedure as comfortable.Respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) decreased in all patients after the operation [ ( 37.1 ± 2.8 )/min and ( 106.5 ± 14.2 ) bpm before the operation respectively,( 18.6 ± 1.4)/min and ( 73.2 ± 7.6) bpm after the operation respectively ],t =17.81 and 3.80,P ＜ 0.01.Pulse oxygen saturation ( SaO2 ) during the operation [ ( 91.2 ± 1.8 ) ％ ]increased [ (76.3 ± 8.6 )％ before the operation ] and increased further after the operation [ (94.5 ±4.3 ) ％ ],t =2.06 and 2.26,P ＜ 0.01.Blood pressure (BP) showed no changes throughout the operation (P ＞ 0.05 ).The conprehensive assessment of operation were favorable in all patients. Conclusion With careful preoperative evaluation and planning, tracheal stent implantation under general anaesthesia in patients with malignant tracheal stenosis is feasible and safe. Key words: Anesthesia, general; Tracheal stenosis ; Stents ; Radiology, interventional