Abstract
A case of a 72 year old female who suffered severe hypoxemia and dyspnea due to obstruction of the left main bronchus by a squamous cell carcinoma is reported. Since ventilation with 100% oxygenation was necessary, irradiation by Nd : YAG laser for the opening of the central airway could not be performed. Instead, intratumoral ethanol injection was applied for the sphacelation of the tumor, but obtained no effect. To improve the hypoxemia, a 12Fr. suction tube was inserted between the tumor and the bronchial wall, which improved her condition immediately. After 60 Gy. irradiation malignant cells were still recognized, therefore to prevent restenosis we inserted a Dumon silicon stent into the left main bronchus. Eleven months has passed and there has been no trouble except for one episode of viscous sputum causing stenosis of the stent. There has also been no particular problem in the fixation of the stent. It can be concluded that this is a safe and easy way to prevent stenosis of the central airway due to malignant tumors.
