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Is There a Beneficial Role for a Flexible Bronchoscopic Approach to Oesophageal Tumour-related Tracheobronchial Stenosis?

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Abstract

Background

Interventional pulmonology, in particular, tracheobronchial stent insertion, has been well described in the treatment of tracheobronchial malignant disease. Its benefits are particularly obvious in patients with inoperable malignancy or in those unfit for surgery and have been extensively described. Fewer data exist on the benefits of using self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) inserted via flexible bronchoscopy in the treatment of tracheobronchial stenosis due to extrinsic compression or infiltration from primary oesophageal malignancy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who had stent insertion via flexible bronchoscopy from 2002 to 2010 at our institution.

Results

We found 14 patients who had Ultraflex™ self-expanding metal stent insertion for this condition. We analysed this group of patients with respect to their presentation; indications for stent insertion over surgery; size, location, and number of stents inserted; sedative dose; complications of therapy; and survival time.

Conclusion

We conclude that insertion of SEMS via flexible bronchoscopy is a safe and effective therapy for those individuals who require palliation or are too unfit for the general anaesthesia required for surgery. Moreover, this form of stent insertion may be performed by respiratory physicians in the bronchoscopy suite, rather than by their cardiothoracic counterparts in theatre.

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Abbreviations

SEMS:

Self-expanding metal stents

LMB:

Left main bronchus

RMB:

Right main bronchus

T:

Trachea

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, S10 4NL, UK

    Emmet E. McGrath, David Warriner & Paul Anderson

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  1. Emmet E. McGrath
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  2. David Warriner
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  3. Paul Anderson
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Correspondence to Emmet E. McGrath.

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McGrath, E.E., Warriner, D. & Anderson, P. Is There a Beneficial Role for a Flexible Bronchoscopic Approach to Oesophageal Tumour-related Tracheobronchial Stenosis?. Lung 189, 401–407 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-011-9309-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-011-9309-0

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