A straight metallic tracheal stent can be inserted either during flexible or rigid bronchoscopy. However, in patients with significant airway obstruction or those requiring tumor debulking, rigid bronchoscopy is the method of choice. A tracheoscope size 12 or larger is generally required for the introduction of the straight metallic tracheal stent. Herein, we describe a novel method that facilitates the introduction of the straight metallic tracheal stent through a size 8.5 tracheoscope by using the introducer tube of the silicone stent applicator.
Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.