AIRWAY STENTS

Abstract

Airway stenting is a major component of an integrated Interventional Pulmonology service. The primary indication for stenting is malignant airway stenosis, which is not relieved following initial endoscopic intervention. However stents have also been used in a range of other airway related diseases includingconditions which result in benign stenosis, fistula and malacia. Stents fall into 2 broad categories silicone and metallic. Each is associated with advantages and disadvantages and the choice of stents depend on a number of factors including airway and disease related factors, physician choice and expertise and the available equipment within the endoscopy unit. Silicone stents require rigidbronchoscopy for placement while metallic stents can be placed using flexible bronchoscopy. Irrespective of prosthesis type, stent related complications occur and include migration, stent obstruction from mucus, tumour ingrowth or granulation tissue and stent fracture. Finally, future stent development will include novel drug eluting and biodegradable stents.