METALLIC ENDOPROSTHESES FOR MALIGNANT TRACHEOBRONCHIAL OBSTRUCTION - INITIAL EXPERIENCE

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of the Wallstent endoprosthesis in mal ignant tracheobronchial obstruction. Methods: Seven patients with irre sectable carcinoma of the bronchus were treated with nine Wallstent en doprostheses. The procedures were performed under endoscopic and fluor oscopic guidance. Wallstent endoprostheses ranging from 8-16 mm in dia meter and 26-49 mm in length were deployed after balloon dilatation of the strictures. Results: All stents were successfully deployed in the desired positions. There was one procedural complication and one proc edure-related death. Three patients showed significant improvement in respiratory status after stenting. At a mean follow-up of 5.1 months, there has been no stent migration, fracture, or collapse. One patient had proximal tumor overgrowth that was treated with additional stent i nsertion. One patient died after a bout of massive hemoptysis 3 months poststenting and it was difficult to tell whether this was related to the endoprosthesis. Conclusion: The use of the Wallstent endoprosthes is in malignant tracheobronchial obstruction is technically feasible.