气管支架置入术治疗气管恶性狭窄的并发症分析

目的探讨应用气管支架治疗气管恶性狭窄的并发症。方法回顾性分析1999年11月—2011年6月在局麻和数字减影血管造影机下应用气管支架治疗气管恶性狭窄的25例患者资料,其中6例置入Z型不锈钢支架,19例置入镍钛记忆合金支架,观察支架相关并发症。结果置入Z型不锈钢支架的6例患者中,所有支架置入后即刻完全扩张,2例出现支架移位,随访期中支架再狭窄3例,其中肿瘤增生性狭窄1例,黏稠痰液阻塞性狭窄1例,支架断裂伴肉芽增生性狭窄1例;置入镍钛记忆合金支架的19例患者中,术中无支架移位,2例即刻完全扩张,17例术后3天～3个月扩张完全,随访期内支架再狭窄2例,其中肿瘤增生性狭窄1例,肉芽增生性狭窄1例。所有患者术后呼吸困难即刻明显改善。结论应用气管支架治疗气管恶性狭窄有一定并发症,但仍是一种作用迅速、效果显著的治疗措施。     

Sequential Stenting for Extensive Malignant Airway Stenosis

Purpose: Malignant airway stenosis extending from the bronchial bifurcation to the lower lobar orifice was treated with airway stenting. We herein examine the effectiveness of airway stenting for extensive malignant airway stenosis.Methods: Twelve patients with extensive malignant airway stenosis underwent placement of a silicone Dumon Y stent (Novatech, La Ciotat, France) at the tracheal bifurcation and a metallic Spiral Z-stent (Medico’s Hirata, Osaka, Japan) at either distal side of the Y stent. We retrospectively analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of the sequential placement of these silicone and metallic stents in these 12 patients.Results: The primary disease was lung cancer in eight patients, breast cancer in two patients, tracheal cancer in one patient, and thyroid cancer in one patient. The median survival period after airway stent placement was 46 days. The Hugh–Jones classification and performance status improved in nine patients after airway stenting. One patient had prolonged hemoptysis and died of respiratory tract hemorrhage 15 days after the treatment.Conclusion: Because the initial disease was advanced and aggressive, the prognosis after sequential airway stent placement was significantly poor. However, because respiratory distress decreased after the treatment in most patients, this treatment may be acceptable for selected patients with extensive malignant airway stenosis.     

气管内支架治疗气管良性狭窄11例

目的：探讨气管内支架治疗气管良性狭窄的疗效。方法：１９８２年２月至１９９８年８月间应用气管内支架治疗１１例气管良性狭窄,其中Ｙ形硅胶管支架置入术４例,Ｓｔｒｅｃｋｅｒ金属网状支架置入术１例。结果：随访４￣１８０个月。８例临床效果良好,其中４例拔除内支架。并发症包括肉芽组织形成３例,其中２例更换支架;围术期咳痰困难５例。结论：不同病因良性气和狭窄在选择治疗方法时应严格按照治疗原则,对气管壁全层皆已成     

全身麻醉下气管支架植入术治疗恶性气管狭窄

目的评价全身麻醉下气管支架植入术治疗恶性气管狭窄的疗效。方法选择因恶性肿瘤致气管狭窄、中、重度呼吸困难患者17例,行全身麻醉及气管插管,于DSA监视下经气管套管植入镍钛记忆合金支架。结果全部病例均成功植入支架,呼吸困难症状立即得到改善。随访3～24个月,支架无移位,气管通畅,患者无明显疼痛及异物感。结论全身麻醉下气管支架植入术治疗恶性气管狭窄安全、快捷、有效,患者痛苦小,可为后续治疗提供条件。     

电视激光硬质气管镜的应用体会

目的 探讨电视激光硬质气管镜治疗大气道内良、恶性肿瘤及外压性恶性狭窄的方法和特点。方法2002年9月至2004年11月，应用电视激光硬质气管镜为13例大气道肿瘤病人进行了15次手术治疗。窄蒂良性肿瘤完全镜下取出；宽蒂或延伸至管壁外者中转开胸手术切除；大气道恶性狭窄者采用放置支架，或用电刀、氩气刀或激光灼烧瘤体使之再通的姑息治疗；可切除的原发气管恶性肿瘤，硬质气管镜作为根治术前的准备。结果良性肿瘤5例次手术：4例镜下完整切除，1例中转开胸切除。恶性肿瘤8例10次手术：3例置入支架，2例姑息切除肿瘤恢复气道通畅，3例开胸完成根治切除吻合。无围术期死亡和严重并发症。结论硬质气管镜对大气道腔内窄蒂良性肿瘤的完整切除、恶性肿瘤所致大气道狭窄的姑息治疗及原发大气道肿瘤开胸治疗的术前准备有较高的临床价值，而且安全、可靠。     

Tracheal Stenosis Treated With Self-Expanding Nitinol Stent

A self-expanding nitinol stent was used in 2 patients with inoperable tracheal stenosis due to invasive malignant tumor of the trachea. One was a 70-year-old man with recurrent tumor from adenocarcinoma of the left lung, and the other was a 63-year-old man with recurrent tumor in mediastinal lymph nodes from esophageal cancer. The self-expanding nitinol stent is very useful and effective in inoperable tracheal stenosis due to intraluminal tumor invasion.     

Perioperative management for placement of tracheobronchial stents

Tracheobronchial stenting was performed under general anesthesia, with (six patients) or without (two patients) muscle relaxant, in eight patients suffering from carcinoma. All patients had presented preoperatively with dyspnea, exhibiting Hugh-Jones grade 4 or 5. Three patients had been mechanically ventilated before the procedure. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia with flexible bronchoscopic guidance. Stent placement was performed either through an orotracheal tube (four patients) or through a transtracheal tube (two patients) in those who had no upper tracheal stenosis, while it was performed through a laryngeal mask airway in two patients with upper tracheal stenosis. During the procedure, arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation (Sp_O2) decreased in all patients, despite fraction of inspired oxygen (FI_O2) being maintained at 1.0. Except for two patients, one of whom developed superior vena cava syndrome and one, tension pneumothorax after stent placement, there were no complications resulting from stent placement. Six patients were weaned from mechanical ventilation (0–24 days after the procedure). Two of the three patients who had been on mechanical ventilation preoperatively could not be weaned. Stent insertion is an effective treatment for tracheobronchial stenosis, but its indications in patients with malignancy who have been mechanically ventilated prior to stenting should further be evaluated.     

Bougienage and balloon dilation using a conventional tracheal tube for tracheobronchial stenosis before stent placement

In order to achieve urgent restoration of the airways in tracheobronchial stenosis and to make stent placement simpler and safer, we developed a method that allows combined bougienage and balloon dilation via the use of a conventional tracheal tube. Fifteen patients with tracheobronchial stenosis underwent bougienage and balloon dilation using a tracheal tube with a cuff attached, inserted via a tracheostomy, before stent placement. The conventional tracheal tube was inserted via a tracheostomy, the cuff was expanded at the stenotic site, and the tube was fixed to the tracheostomy and left in place for a few days until sufficient dilation was achieved. This procedure was conducted on the trachea in 10 patients, the left main bronchus in three patients, and the right main bronchus in two patients. In all patients, the procedure immediately relieved the obstructive symptoms and dilated the stenosis sufficiently. Thereafter, Dumon stents were inserted in 10 patients, dynamic stents in four patients, and an expandable metallic stent in one patient. The stents were introduced easily with no other dilation procedure after a mean of 5 days from the start of the procedure. For tracheobronchial stenosis, bougienage and balloon dilation using a tracheal tube with an integral cuff via a tracheostomy is a simple and safe method for achieving both urgent relief of airway stenosis and dilation before stent placement. Received: 20 May 1999/Accepted: 17 December 1999/Online publication: 25 April 2000     

Secondary Carina and Lobar Bronchi Stenting in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer: Is It Worth the Effort? A Clinical Experience

Background: The lobar airway stenting remains an endoscopic procedure not well standardized in patients with locally advanced lung cancer disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate technical feasibility, clinical outcome, and complications of different stents in patients with malignant lesions involving lobar bronchi, primary and secondary carina.Methods: Between November 2008 and October 2013, we retrospectively analyzed 146 patients with benign and malignant tracheobronchial stenosis who underwent airway stent insertion below main carina and main bronchi.Results: In all, 170 airway stenting procedures were performed on 146 patients. In all, 51 of them with malignant peripheral airway stenosis underwent stents placement below main carina. In all but one patient, the deployment of stents was successful with improvement of symptoms. The chest radiograph after the procedure detected the lung re-expansion in 29 of 51 patients. The mean follow-up duration was 123 days ± 157. Complications observed included stent migration, tumor overgrowth, infections, granulation tissue formation, and obstruction due to tenacious secretions. Longer survival was observed in patients who received additional treatment after airway stenting compared to those who did not (p <0.01).Conclusions: Stenting of lobar bronchi and primary or secondary carina is technically feasible, effective, and acceptably safe.     

通气导管辅助下125I支架植入治疗恶性气道狭窄

目的探讨局部麻醉及通气导管辅助下~(125)I粒子气管支架治疗恶性气道狭窄的疗效。方法回顾性分析于我科接受~(125)I粒子气管支架植入术治疗的恶性气道狭窄患者180例。分析~(125)I气管支架植入前、后患者气促评级、血氧饱和度(SaO2)及呼吸频率,术后随访患者的~(125)I支架情况、临床症状及生存情况。结果 180例均成功接受~(125)I粒子气管支架植入术,共植入~(125)I支架180枚,其中筒状支架132枚、"Y"型支架34枚、"L"型支架14枚。术后患者呼吸困难症状均有显著缓解。本组患者SaO2由术前的(80.60±3.87)%提高至术后的(94.31±3.40)%,差异有统计学意义(t=-30.52,P0.01);呼吸频率由术前的(29.36±3.20)次/分改善至术后的(19.29±2.19)次/分,差异有统计学意义(t=35.09,P0.01)。术后随访3~13个月,6例患者出现~(125)I支架再狭窄;患者生存期为49~401天,平均(182±94)天,患者60天生存率的估计值为0.99,180天生存率的估计值为0.65。结论局部麻醉及通气导管辅助下~(125)I气管支架植入术治疗恶性气道狭窄是安全、有效的方法。     

胆肠吻合术后吻合口狭窄的非手术治疗

目的 探讨胆肠吻合口狭窄非手术治疗的方法和疗效。方法8例经皮下盲袢、13例经T管窦道进入胆道镜,先气囊扩张狭窄,再取狭窄上方结石,瘢痕性狭窄置硬塑管支撑3-6个月;恶性狭窄胆道镜引导置金属支架。12例行PTCD;恶性狭窄不伴结石,放射介入置金属支架;如有结石或瘢痕狭窄,先扩张窦道、后经PTCS取石或置金属支架。硬塑管。全组气囊扩张19例、置硬塑管5例、置金属支架9例。结果33例中24例良性狭窄,扩张19例、置硬塑管5例均解除梗阻,9例恶性狭窄8例置金属支架解除梗附。15例伴有结石者取净结石。全组无严重并发症。结论 借助胆道镜的非手术方法在治疗胆肠吻合术后吻合口狭窄中创伤小、副损伤少、疗效确切。     

Anesthetic management of tracheobronchial stent insertion and extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA)

We experienced eight cases of general anesthesia for tracheobronchial stent insertion. All stents were Ultraflex stent (Boston Scientific, Tokyo), and they were inserted guided by bronchofiberscopy under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with patients under spontaneous breathing, and we inserted a tracheal tube or a laryngeal mask airway. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol and sevoflurane. In four cases with severe tracheobronchial stenosis, we used venovenous extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA) before general anesthesia induction. Oxygenation during stent insertion was well-maintained in all patients. We must evaluate the severity of tracheobronchial stenosis preoperatively. In high risk cases anticipated of airway obstruction, ECLA should be used for safe anesthetic management.     

The role of airway stenting in pediatric tracheobronchial obstruction

OBJECTIVE: Tracheobronchial obstruction is infrequent in the pediatric age group but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to review the results of a single institution experience with endoscopic stent placement in children with benign tracheobronchial obstruction, and with special concern on safety and clinical effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with severe airway stenosing disease in which stent placement was performed between 1993 and 2006. Inclusion criteria according to the clinical status were: failure to wean from ventilation, episode of apnea, frequent respiratory infections (>3 pneumonia/year), and severe respiratory distress. Additional criteria for stent placement were: failure of surgical treatment, bronchomalacia, and tracheomalacia refractory to previous tracheostomy. Selection of the type of stent depended on the site of the lesion, the patient's age, and the stent availability when time of presentation. The following variables were retrospectively evaluated: age, type of obstruction, associated malformations, stent properties, technical and clinical success, complications and related reinterventions, outcome and follow-up period. RESULTS: Thirty-three stents were placed in the trachea (n=18) and/or bronchi (n=15) of 21 patients with a median age of 6 months (range, 9 days-19 years). Etiology of the airway obstruction included severe tracheomalacia and/or bronchomalacia in 19 cases (90%), and postoperative tracheal stenosis in two. Twelve children had a total of 20 balloon-expandable metallic stents placed, and 10 had 13 silicone-type stents (one patient had both). In nine patients (42%) more than one device was placed. Stent positioning was technically successful in all but one patient. Clinical improvement was observed in 18 patients (85%) but complications occurred in five of them (27%). Eight patients died during follow-up but only in one case it was related to airway stenting. Thirteen patients (62%) are alive and in good condition with a mean follow-up of 39 months (1-13.8 years). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results were based on a small series, placement of stents in the pediatric airway to treat tracheobronchial obstruction seems to be safe and effective. Stenting is a satisfactory therapeutic option when other procedures have failed or are not indicated.     

Treatment of large airway obstruction in lung cancer using expandable metal stents inserted under direct vision via the fibreoptic bronchoscope.

BACKGROUND: Self-expanding metal stents have been used successfully to overcome large airway obstruction due to malignant pulmonary disease. The technique has been modified to place stents under direct vision using the fibreoptic bronchoscope. The effect of this procedure on lung function and patient well being was investigated in a large series of patients. METHODS: Fifty six patients with malignant tracheobronchial tumours were treated for symptoms of life threatening airways obstruction or collapse of a lung by the insertion of an expandable metal stent(s) under local anaesthetic using a fibreoptic bronchoscope. All had inoperable cancer and 33 had relapsed after or failed to respond to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery. Forty seven had primary bronchial carcinomas and nine had metastases from other tumour sites. All but two patients had the stents inserted at one sitting. Measurements were performed in most of the patients before and after stenting and included objective measures (pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas tensions) and non-objective measures (patient well being, performance status). RESULTS: Overall, 77% of patients showed symptomatic improvement. In those patients in whom measurements were performed two thirds showed improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and arterial oxygen tension (PaO2). Medical Research Council dyspnoea score (MRC), Karnofsky, and visual analogue scores (for both breathing and well being) improved in 81% of patients. There were no perioperative deaths. Fifty one patients have died since the procedure with a mean survival of 77 days (range 1-477), and five patients are still alive after a mean of 207 days (range 135-274). CONCLUSIONS: In suitable patients with either extraluminal or intraluminal tumour, or both, the insertion of expandable metal stents using a fibreoptic bronchoscope and local anaesthetic is a valuable addition to other palliative therapies in the treatment of lung cancer.     

Self-expanding polytetrafluoroethylene covered nitinol stents for the treatment of ureteral stenosis: preliminary report

PURPOSE: We evaluated the treatment of ureteral stenosis using a self-expanding nitinol stent covered with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2001 and April 2003, 37 ePTFE covered metal stents were implanted in 20 patients with a total of 29 ureteral stenoses due to various causes. In general the stents were introduced by using a retrograde approach under combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance with patients under spinal block and sedation. Followup assessments in 18 patients, including urography, were done 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after the procedure. Followup endoscopic examinations were performed at 6 and 12 months in 8 patients. RESULTS: Immediate ureteral patency was achieved during all insertion procedures and maintained in most patients. Four patients died of the neoplastic process 3 to 12 months after implantation. Four stent migrations occurred in 3 patients (22.2%), which was resolved by implanting a new stent. Nonobstructive mucous hyperplasia was observed in 5 patients (27.7%) at the end of the stent, although there was no internal calcification. In all cases the stents remained patent until the current time or until patient death. CONCLUSIONS: We found that ePTFE covered nitinol stents were safe and effective for ureteral stenosis. Their resistance to calcification was high with nonobstructive hyperplasia developing in only a few cases and only at the stent ends. The ideal material for covering stents would produce no mucous hyperplasia.     

Anesthesia and airway management for removing pulmonary self-expanding metallic stents

The use of bronchoscopically placed self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) and silastic stents in patients suffering from tracheobronchial stenosis or similar problems has proven to be an important clinical option. When complications occur, it may be necessary to remove the device. Removal of a SEMS is usually performed during general anesthesia with muscle relaxation and positive pressure ventilation, often using total intravenous anesthesia. Airway management depends on stent type and location. Intubating patients' tracheas with a tracheal stent requires special caution, as it risks damaging tissue and dislodging the stent distally. Potential complications with removal include tracheal disruption, retained stent pieces, mucosal tears, re-obstruction requiring new stent placement, the need for postoperative ventilation, pneumothorax, damage to the pulmonary artery, and death.     

Intratracheal stent intubation under extracorporeal lung assist

An artificial stent was intubated using extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA) in two patients with inoperable tracheal stenosis. In a patient with an endotracheal tumor, an airway obstruction due to a partial stent collapse was overcome by an immediate ECLA perfusion. In another patient with chronic inflammatory tracheal stenosis, a repetitive balloon dilation of the trachea could be safely performed utilizing ECLA perfusion. Preventive femoral cannulation, employing the assistance of an ECLA circuit, is thus considered to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of inoperable tracheal stenosis.     

Self-expanding Polyflex plastic stents in esophageal disease: various indications,complications, and outcomes

Background Esophageal stenting has become an important technique in the treatment of different clincal problems such as malignant or benign stenosis, anastomotic leaks after surgery, or fistulas. In this study we present our experience with the self-expanding Polyflex plastic stent in various indications, arising complications, and patient’s outcomes. Methods Over a three-year period, 35 patients underwent self-expanding Polyflex plastic stent placement for esophageal stenosis (n = 23) with 22 malignant, and for perforations, fistulas, or anastomotic leaks after surgery (n = 12). The short-term efficacy and long-term outcomes were analyzed. Results In patients with stenosis, implantation was performed without any complications in 91% (21/23). In one patient perforation occurred while passing the stenosis; in another patient the stent dislocated during the insertion procedure. Dysphagia score improved from 3.0 to 1.0 after stenting. In all patients with perforations, fistulas, or anastomotic leaks (n = 12), stents were placed successfully without any complication. Complete sealing of the mucosal defect was proven by radiography in 92% (n = 11) and healing was seen in 42% (n = 5). If indicated, stent removal was performed without any complications. Stent migration (n = 13; 37%) was the most common long-term complication. Conclusions The placement of self-expanding Polyflex plastic stents is a highly sufficient and cost-effective treatment for malignant and benign esophageal disorders. Because the long-term results were highly favorable, self-expanding plastic stent placement could be used as the initial treatment for various conditions.     

Temporary tracheobronchial stenting in malignant lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Temporary stenting is a new strategy in the treatment of malignant airway stenoses. Patients receive stents as primary palliation followed by tumor-specific therapy in order to reduce the stenosis and subsequently remove the stent. METHODS: We investigated this strategy of temporary airway stenting in 5 consecutive patients with malignant lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, n = 3; Hodgkin's lymphoma, n = 2) who presented with severe dyspnoea. Nine stents (six Strecker, three Dumon stents) were implanted into the trachea or main bronchi. After stenting, patients underwent tumor-specific therapy (chemotherapy, n = 4; percutaneous radiotherapy, n = 1). RESULTS: Clinical improvement of dyspnoea and stridor was observed in each patient after stent implantation. In 4 patients (80%), stents could easily be removed after successful tumor-specific therapy, which led to reduction of stenosis after a mean interval of 26 days (14 to 52 days). One patient died during chemotherapy 6 days after stenting. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that temporary stenting is a valuable strategy in chemo- and radiosensitive malignancies, as it ameliorates the patients' respiratory condition until tumor-specific therapy is effective, and prevents poststenotic complications. It integrates stent implantation in a multi-therapy concept.     

The management of post-intubation tracheal stenoses with self-expandable stents: early and long-term results in 11 cases

Objective: The optimal management of post-intubation tracheal stenoses is surgical reconstruction of the airway. Stenting of the trachea using silastic T-tubes or one of the various types of tracheal stents are the alternative ways to surgical reconstruction for the management of post-intubation tracheal stenoses. The early and long-term results of 11 patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis, who underwent tracheal stenting with self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs), are presented. Methods: Twelve patients (10 men, mean age: 47.8 ± 20.4 years) with post-intubation tracheal stenosis were referred for tracheal stenting with SEMS (2000–2004). In three cases, the upper tracheal stenosis extended within the subglottic larynx. Stenting was successful in 11 patients, while, in one patient with involvement of the subglottic larynx, the attempt to insert the stent failed. Follow-up time varied from 6 to 96 months, and it was made with virtual and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Results: Immediate relief of obstructive symptoms was observed in all the 11 patients, where an SEMS was successfully inserted. Stent dislodgement occurred shortly after the procedure in two patients, and it was treated with insertion of a new stent in the first case and a stent-on-stent insertion in the second. Good patency of the stent was observed in three patients for 60–96 months. Three patients with good patency of the stent died from other reasons 24–48 months after stent insertion. Four patients developed obstructive granulation tissue at the ends of the stent after 12–43 months, requiring further treatment with thermal lasers and/or tracheostomy. One patient underwent stent removal and successful laryngotracheal reconstruction 6 months after stent insertion. Conclusions: The application of SEMS in post-intubation tracheal stenoses results in immediate improvement of obstructive symptoms without significant perioperative complications. SEMSs have the potential risks of migration and of granulation tissue formation at the end of the stent. SEMS should be applied only in strictly selected patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis, who are considered unfit for surgery and/or with limited life expectancy.