Airway stenting with inhalation anesthesia in malignant airway stenosis or fistula under radiological guidance

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of airway stenting with inhalation anesthesia under radiological guidance in the palliation of malignant tracheobronchial stenosis. Methods Between June 2001 and August 2010, 74 consecutive patients with malignant tracheobronchial stenosis were treated by the insertion of an ultraflex self-expandable metal stent with inhalation anesthesia under fluoroscopic guidance. Results All patients achieved obvious symptomatic relief. The outcomes were as follows: dyspnea ( n =2 ), long-term angina ( n =1 ), strong irritation cough ( n =2 ), hard phlegm ( n =3 ), clotting expectoration ( n =3 ), blood-tinged expectoration ( n =64 ), airway stent displacement ( n =1 ) and tracheoesophageal fistulas ( n =1 ). Conclusion Performed with inhalation anesthesia under radiological guidance, tracheobronchial recanalization with a self-expandable metal stent is a safe and effective palliative treatment for malignant stenosis. Key words: Stents;  Tracheal stenosis;  Laryngoscopes