Airway obstruction may be associated with:
(1) dyspnea with hypoxemia and exercise intolerance
(2) recurrent episodes of pneumonia
(3) atelectasis
Stents are made of silicone, metal or both. Metallic stents are convenient since they can be placed during flexible bronchoscopy.
CT scanning prior to the procedure can be helpful in therapeutic planning. It can help determine the optimum shape, length and diameter of the stent to be deployed.
Ideally the stent should provide immediate relief of the obstruction with symptomatic improvement..
Complications of a stent:
(1) stent migration
(2) obstruction by tumor regrowth
(3) obstruction by mucus plugging
(4) hemorrhage
(5) inflammation and formation of granulation tissue
(6) infection
(7) airway erosion
(8) stent failure (fracture or collapse)
