16
silicone stents and 9 expandable metallic
stents (Strecker-
stents) were implanted in 22 patients (16 x
tumors of central bronchial tree, 6 x
stenosis of benign conditions). The
silicone stents were mainly implanted in the trachea and main bronchi, the metallic
stents in lobar bronchi. In all cases we succeeded in implantation without complications. With both
stent models an immediate relief of
dyspnea and
respiratory failure was achieved in all cases. The average period of follow-up is 65 days, the longest 105 days (
silicone stents) respectively 306 days (metallic
stents). All
stents were tolerated well besides one with a feeling of intrathoracic pressure. Complications were dislocation (1 x), occlusive
tumor growth (1 x), granulations (1 x), suppurative
bronchitis (2 x), growth of tissue through the wall of metallic
stents (1 x) and restenosis by indurated secretions (2 x). Though the long term results were well with different types of
stents, which are available today, the expandable
stent woven of metallic wire, seems to fit best to clinical needs.