1999 Volume 21 Issue 2 Pages 98-101
The effectiveness of expandable metallic stents (EMS) were evaluated in 7 patients with malignant tracheobronchial stenosis who were treated from February, 1994 through May, 1995. There were no complications during or after EMS insertion. Tracheobronchial stenosis improved after treatment in all of the cases, and dyspnea (Hugh-Jones Grade) improved immediately in 6 of the 7 cases, leading to improvement of QOL. However, 2 of the 7 cases revealed restenosis caused by tumor growth through the wires of the EMS and one of these cases required additional therapy against restenosis. All of the cases died 1-4 months after EMS placement. Autopsy revealed no restenosis of the place of EMS insertion and no retained secretions associated with EMS in 6 of the 7 cases, and it was found that they died of causes other than respiratory failure due to tracheobronchial stenosis. In summary, EMS was thought to be very efficient treatment in cases with malignant tracheobronchial stenosis.
