Treatment of tracheal and bronchial tumors and tracheal and bronchial stent placement

Tumors of and trauma to the trachea and bronchi can result in loss of integrity of the airway and death. Once treated primarily with thoracic surgery, these conditions are increasingly being managed with interventional pulmonary procedures outside the operating room but requiring the assistance of anesthetists. These interventional procedures require airway instrumentation, necessitating anesthesia care for ventilation and obtundation of airway reflexes. A thorough preoperative assessment and consultation with the pulmonologist or surgeon performing the procedure are essential for successful completion of the tumor and scar reduction and subsequent stent placement. In addition, anesthetists may care for patients undergoing nonpulmonary surgery who have an existing bronchial or tracheal stent or patients requiring correction of displaced stents. A discussion on the preferred methods for caring for patients in these situations is included.