The temporary placement of endobronchial stents in the management of bronchial compression by transiently enlarged mediastinal structures

Comparison of clinical features and stent placement outcomes between airway stenosis caused by primary pulmonary malignancies and that caused by primary non-pulmonary malignancies

Background:

Primary pulmonary malignancies (PPMs) and non-pulmonary malignancies (PNPMs) may result in airway stenosis requiring stenting. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the clinical features and stent placement outcomes of airway stenosis caused by PPMs and PNPMs.

Methods:

A total of 141 patients with malignant airway stenosis who underwent Micro-Tech stent placements between January 2004 and October 2017 at Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University were divided into PPM (n = 100) and PNPM groups (n = 41). Patients’ clinical features and stent placement outcomes were collected and analyzed. Chi-square test was used to compare the categorical variables, while independent- or paired-sample t test was used to compare the continuous variables.

Results:

There were no significant differences in age, sex, treatment history, respiratory symptoms, and incidence of obstructive pneumonia between groups. Multiple airway involvement (63.0% vs. 31.7%; χ² = 11.459, P = 0.001) and atelectasis (17.0% vs. 2.4%; χ² = 5.536, P = 0.019) were more common in the PPM group, while extraluminal obstruction (24.4% vs. 6.0%; χ² = 8.033, P = 0.005) was more common in the PNPM group. Before stenting, the American Thoracic Society Dyspnea Index (ADI) and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores showed no significant differences between groups (all P > 0.05). After stenting, a satisfactory rate of symptom improvement was achieved in both groups (98.0% and 100.0% in the PPM and PNPM groups, respectively; χ² = 0.016, P = 0.898); ADI and KPS scores, which showed no significant differences between groups (all P > 0.05), were significantly improved in each group (all P < 0.001). Complications after stenting could be effectively managed using bronchoscopic procedures.

Conclusions:

Among cases of malignant airway stenosis requiring stenting, those caused by PPM are more likely to involve multiple airways and are associated with atelectasis, while those caused by PNPM are more likely to cause extraluminal obstruction. Micro-Tech stent placement has the same immediate effect in terms of improvement in respiratory symptoms and performance status for both malignant airway stenosis caused by PPM and that caused by PNPM.

Temporary bronchial stenting for airway compression in the interstage palliation of functional single ventricle

The Norwood procedure is the first of three palliative surgical procedures offered for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Due to the small size of the thorax and proximity of airway and vascular structures, compression of the airway is possible following the Norwood procedure. We describe the management of an infant with HLHS following Stage I surgical palliation who developed refractory respiratory failure secondary to severe left bronchial compression.

Beyond dilation: current concepts in endoscopic airway stenting and reconstruction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To discuss current modalities of endoscopic airway management beyond balloon dilation therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Advances continue to be made through technology and bioengineering with exciting potential in the pediatric airway. Smaller robots and instrumentation allow increased endoscopic surgical success. Biodegradable stents and bioengineered grafts are on the horizon for use in airway surgery. Dysphonia following airway reconstruction is of increasing recognition with new endoscopic treatments being performed. Supraglottoplasty is further recognized as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea for laryngomalacia diagnosed on sleep endoscopy. Interarytenoid injection may be beneficial in the normal larynx for aspiration and dysphagia as well as diagnosing and treating type I laryngeal clefts.

SUMMARY

Endoscopic airway surgery continues to be a popular and effective method of treating the pediatric airway. Technological advances such as in robotics may have an increasing role in the future of endoscopic airway surgery in children. Bioengineered airway adjuncts including biodegradable airway stents look to be promising in the future treatment of airway stenosis.