Twenty-eight fully covered retrievable metallic
stents were successfully placed fluoroscopically in 21 patients.
Stents were removed 4 - 12 months [mean (5.5 ± 2.2) mouths] after placement in all patients.
Stent-related complications included granulation tissue (n = 18),
stent migration (n = 4),
stent expectoration (n = 2),
halitosis (n = 8), mucous retention (n = 21) and mucus plugging (n = 1). Granulation tissue was removed with a
carbon dioxide laser in 2 patients.
Stents were replaced for 2 times and 3 times respectively in 2 patients after
stent migration and
stent expectoration. An additional
stent was placed in 2 patients after
stent migration. Symptom of
halitosis was relieved after prolonged course of systemic
antibiotics treatment in 8 patients. Symptom of mucous retention was relieved with nebulized saline and
N-acetylcysteine saline inhalation. Mucous plug was expelled after severe coughing after suctioning using an aspirator in one patient. There were statistically significant differences in
stricture diameter, rank of
tachypnea and pulmonary function (FEV(1)) in all 21 patients before
stent insertion and after
stents removal. No patient has experienced recurrence during the follow-up period of 1 - 36 months [mean (23.2 ± 8.0) months].
CONCLUSION: Fully covered retrievable metallic
stent may be a safe and effective in benign
tracheal stenosis.
Stent-related complications may be effectively managed.