Self-expanding metal stent for tracheobronchial strictures.

To determine the role of expandable metal stent (Wallstent) in treating tracheobronchial strictures, 12 patients with recurrent symptoms of airway obstruction due to either benign or malignant strictures were studied. The seven benign strictures were anastomotic stricture following sleeve resection (2) and single lung transplant (1), tracheal amyloidosis (1), idiopathic chondritis (2), and post-tracheostomy stricture (1). The five malignant strictures were due to recurrent adenoid cystic carcinoma of trachea (1), large-cell carcinoma of lung (1), recurrent laryngeal squamous carcinoma (1), squamous carcinoma of the trachea (1), and malignant melanoma (1). The placement of stents was performed under rigid bronchoscopic guidance with no complications. All patients with benign strictures derived subjective and functional improvement with stenting. No evidence of restenosis within the stented segment in six of the seven benign strictures was found within up to 24 months. Repeated diathermy resection was required in the patient with recurrent amyloidosis through the distal end of the stent. Among the malignant strictures, symptomatic relief was achieved in four of the five patients. One metal stent migrated proximally and was replaced by a Montgomery T tube. One patient with relief of stridor died at 4 months due to carcinomatosis. Tumour ingrowth through the metal stent remains problematic in two patients. However, the incidence of palliative interventions required has markedly reduced after stenting.