Temporary tracheobronchial stenting in malignant lymphoma

Background. Temporary stenting is a new strategy in the treatment of malign ant airway stenoses. Patients receive stents as primary palliation followed by tumor-specific therapy in order to reduce the stenosis and subsequently remove the stent. Methods. We investigated this strategy of temporary airway stenting in 5 co nsecutive patients with malignant lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, n = 3; Hodgkin's lymphoma, n = 2) who presented with severe dyspnoea. Nine stents (six Strecker, three Dumon stents) were implanted into the trachea or main bronchi. After stenting, patients underwent tumor-specific therapy (chemoth erapy, n = 4; percutaneous radiotherapy, n = 1). Result. Clinical improvement of dyspnoea and strider was observed in each p atient after stent implantation. In 4 patients (80%), stents could easily b e removed after successful tumor-specific therapy, which led to reduction o f stenosis after a mean interval of 26 days (14 to 52 days). One patient di ed during chemotherapy 6 days after stenting. Conclusions. The results show that temporary stenting is a valuable strateg y in chemo- and radiosensitive malignancies, as it ameliorates the patients ' respiratory condition until tumor-specific therapy is effective, and prev ents poststenotic complications. It integrates stent implantation in a mult i-therapy concept. (Ann Thorac Surg 1999;67:1448-50) (C) 1999 by The Societ y of Thoracic Surgeons.