Central airway obstruction treatment with self‐expanding covered Y‐carina nitinol stents: A single center retrospective analysis

Abstract Background Central airway obstruction (CAO) is one of the most challenging, potentially lethal complications in malignant and benign respiratory diseases. Worsening dyspnea is also a relevant cause for reduced quality of life in such patients. Here, we present our data on the application of...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Arik Bernard Schulze, Georg Evers, Friederike Sophia Tenk, Christoph Schliemann, Lars Henning Schmidt, Dennis Görlich, Michael Mohr
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-04-01
Series:Thoracic Cancer
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/1759-7714.14359
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Central airway obstruction (CAO) is one of the most challenging, potentially lethal complications in malignant and benign respiratory diseases. Worsening dyspnea is also a relevant cause for reduced quality of life in such patients. Here, we present our data on the application of covered, self‐expanding Y‐carina nitinol stents due to benign and malignant diseases. Methods We retrospectively identified 27 patients who had undergone 31 rigid bronchoscopies with implantation of covered Y‐carina nitinol stents over a period of 10 years in order to evaluate indication, clinical course, and outcome. Results Short‐term survival of successfully stented patients with palliative and curative treatment goal did not differ, allowing for diagnosis independent indication. With respect to overall survival, patients with endoluminal obstruction benefited most compared to patients with fistula and/or external compression. Granulation tissue formation (61.3%) and mucus plugging (80.6%) were the most frequent complications. Material defect (6.5%) and migration (3.2%) were rare complications that could be handled by revisional rigid bronchoscopy and stent exchange in some cases. Conclusions Implantation of self‐expanding covered Y‐carina nitinol stents via rigid bronchoscopy is a feasible and safe treatment option for benign and malignant central airway obstruction. Especially in palliative, malignant airway stenosis, stenting might facilitate additional treatment options and optimize dyspnea and eventually quality of life.
ISSN:1759-7706
1759-7714