Nitinol stents in the treatment of benign proximal tracheal stenosis or tracheomalacia

Abstract

Nitinol stents have been used in the treatment of benign tracheal stenosis. A retrospective review of five patients treated at Stobhill Hospital over the last six and a half years is presented. Age at presentation ranged from 17 to 76 years. The minimum follow-up period was 23 months and the maximum was 78 months. All our patients were successfully decannulated, with none requiring recannulation. Four patients developed granulation tissue related to the stent at intervals ranging from three weeks to 41 months post stenting. Topical mitomycin C application has been useful after resection of granulations using the carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser. Stent migration occurred in one patient three weeks after insertion. Nitinol stents are easy to insert and effective in the treatment of tracheal stenosis, but can have associated morbidity. Their use should be considered carefully, as insertion should be regarded as permanent. Publications reporting experience and outcome with the use of Nitinol stents in the trachea are reviewed.