Ultraflex Airway Stent for the Treatment of Tracheobronchial Stenosis Due to Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background: Tracheobronchial stenosis due to inoperable lung cancer is a challenging problem, and usually presents worrisome symptoms. We report a recent 5-month experience with interventional bronchoscopy in this group of patients, and evaluate the benefit of this palliative therapy. Materials and Methods: From May to November 2005, 5 patients with tracheobronchial stenosis due to lung cancer received interventional bronchoscopy at China Medical University Hospital. We used OLYMPUS PSD-60 unipolar electrode endobronchial electrocautery to dissect tumor tissue which had induced trachobronchial stenosis. After debulking the endobronchial tumor, we used an Ultraflex stent (Boston Scientific; Natick, MA) to maintain airway patency. Results: The patients comprised 5 males, with ages ranging from 42 to 70 years, and a mean age of 57.4 years; all had squamous cell carcinoma of the lung with endobronchial metastasis causing intrinsic airway obstruction. They also suffered from progressive dyspnea and received interventional bronchoscopy with electrocautery and stents (1 tracheal stent in 1 patient and 5 bronchial stents in 4 patients-1 patient received 2 bronchial stents). All symptoms immediately improved after the interventional procedure. No serious complications such as bleeding or airway perforation were noted. Conclusions: Even for patients with a very poor prognosis at the terminal stage of lung cancer, electrocautery and a stent implant for tracheobronchial stenosis must always be considered as a worthwhile palliative therapy to provide immediate symptom relief of dyspnea.