Jin Hyoung Kim MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ji Hoon Shin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ho-Young Song MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jung-Hoon Park RT, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kyung Rae Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

We report our experience with a new airway stent of anti-migration design in patients with benign or malignant central airway obstructions or fistula.

Nitinol stents were internally covered with silicone membrane. Four barbs were placed in the middle portion of stents for the prevention of migration. Some stents were specially designed to contain the occluded distal segment to occlude postoperative bronchopulmonary fistula (BPF). All stents were optimally designed to removal and both ends of stents were straight. From May 2007 to March 2008, we performed fluoroscopically guided placement of a barbed airway stent in 10 patients. Indications were post-intubation (n = 2) or malignant tracheal strictures (n = 4), postoperative BPF (n = 2), tracheoesophageal fistula (n = 1), and, benign anastomotic bronchial stricture after sleeve resection (n = 1).

Stent placement was technically successful in all patients with no procedural complications. In one patient, an additional stent was placed overlapping with the initial stent to cover the sufficient area of the stricture because of mild shortening of the initial stent. During the 1-to 12 months follow-up period, tumor overgrowth (n = 1) and symptomatic granulation tissue formation (n = 1) occurred 2 and 3 months after stent placement, respectively, and treated with a second stent placement with or without removal of the initial stent. Stent migration did not occur. Up to the range of time at last follow-up, all patients preserved the improved state of their dyspnea, infection, and air leak.

The barbed airway stent provides the improvement of dyspnea and related infection in patients with benign or malignant central airway obstructions or fistula. Its barbed design may be important to prevent migration.

Our new airway stent can be used effectively in patients with high migration risks (eg, esophageorespiratory fistula without stricture), in whom the conventional stent is usually not indicated.

Kim, J, Shin, J, Song, H, Park, J, Kim, K, The Use of a New Airway Stent Design for the Prevention of Migration: Clinical Application in Patients with Benign or Malignant Central Airway Obstructions or Fistula.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6012216.html