Tracheobronchial stenting for tuberculous airway stenosis

Chest. 2002 Jul;122(1):370-4. doi: 10.1378/chest.122.1.370.

Abstract

We reviewed the results of the use of the Dumon silicone stents in patients experiencing tuberculous tracheobronchial stenosis since 1994, using a retrospective case review in a university teaching hospital with 1,450 beds serving a population of > 1.8 million. Between February 1994 and September 2001, seven patients with tuberculous tracheobronchial stenosis (mean age, 43 years) underwent a total of 11 dilatations with placement of 10 straight stents and 1 Y stent. Under general anesthesia, all patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy and dilatation of the stenosis with placement of a Dumon stent. There were no deaths. One patient developed a pneumothorax. Two patients experienced migration of the stent, which required reintervention for adjustment of position of the stent. The stents were left in situ for a mean period of 32 months. There was marked improvement in dyspnea in all patients after the procedure, as determined by visual analog scale. Endoscopic dilatation with placement of a silicone stent is an effective treatment for patients with tuberculous tracheobronchial stenosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Airway Obstruction / therapy*
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Dyspnea / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stents*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tracheal Stenosis / complications
  • Tracheal Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Tracheal Stenosis / therapy*