INTERVENTIONAL PULMONOLOGY 

Minerva Pneumologica 2007 June;46(2):71-9

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Endobronchial silicone and metal stents

D’Ippolito R., Olivieri D., Chetta A.

Cardiopulmonary Department University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy

Tracheobronchial prostheses, known as airway stents, are devices used for the internal splinting of luminal structures which can successfully palliate symptoms in patients with dyspnea, but their insertion requires advanced knowledge and skills. Currently, the main stent types in clinical use are the tubular stents made of silicone and expandable metallic stents. Silicone stents are employed for the treatment of stenoses resulting from the intraluminal ingrowth of tumors or granulation tissue. Expandable metallic airway stents are most often used in patients with airway stenoses caused by extrinsic tumoral compression. Silicone and expandable metallic stents have different attributes and flaws, which should be considered by the physician when choosing the most appropriate stent for an individual patient. This review deals with the characteristics of different airway stents along with their clinical indications and complications.