Clinical application of external fixation in preventing displacement of high-position airway stents: 2 case reports.

RATIONALE: Airway stenosis and tracheoesophageal fistulas are life-threatening emergencies, often complicated by asphyxia, recurrent infections, and fatal outcomes. Tracheal stent implantation is effective, but stent migration remains a critical complication, especially in subglottic high-position airway pathologies. This report aims to demonstrate an external stabilization technique to prevent stent migration in this high-risk group. Such cases are rarely reported.

PATIENT CONCERNS: Two representative clinical cases with subglottic high-position airway pathologies requiring stent implantation.

DIAGNOSES: Tracheoesophageal fistula, high-position airway stenosis.

INTERVENTIONS: The methods employed were either percutaneous suture fixation or snare wire anchorage, designed to achieve reliable stent immobilization. A modified snare wire fixation protocol was specifically developed to address the limitation of suture material failure.

OUTCOMES: After repeated follow-up, the stents in both patients did not shift.

LESSONS: The innovative utilization of either percutaneous suture fixation or snare wire anchorage achieved reliable stent immobilization. The modified snare wire fixation technique offers enhanced long-term stability by overcoming the inherent risk of suture material failure and maintained an optimal safety profile and cost-effectiveness.