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.