Use of endoscopically placed expandable nitinol tracheal stents in the treatment of tracheal stenosis

Objective: To evaluate the potential utility of a new endoscopically placed expandable tracheal stent in the treatment of benign symptomatic stenoses of the cervical trachea. Study Design: Pilot study utilizing a prospectivel y followed case series. Methods An initial group of six patients undergoing stent placement was examined with rigid and flexible endoscopy under anest hesia immediately following stent placement and at postoperative 6 to 8 wee ks. Subsequently each patient was followed clinically for a minimum of 6 mo nths. Results: All stents were well tolerated with no observed complication s. Immediate reversal of symptomatic airway obstruction without the need fo r adjunctive tracheotomy was noted in every patient. At 6 weeks, endoscopic confirmation of complete intraluminal mucosalization without formation of any granulation tissue or scar bands within the stented areas was noted in each case. Conclusions: This preliminary pilot study supports the use of ni tinol expandable tracheal stents as an alternative in the treatment of beni gn symptomatic tracheal stenoses.