Tracheobronchial Stenting in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Involving the Central Airways

Abstract

Complications are easily detected by the appearance of respiratory symptoms and do not necessitate systematic flexible bronchoscopy, but only preventive measures such as regular aerosol therapy, adapted respiratory physiotherapy and regular clinical follow-up.

Migration of a self expandable metallic stent in malignant esophageal-pleural fistula - A complication that needs active surveillance

“…In 80% of cases, after placement of the stent there is complete closure of the fistula, nevertheless complications are familiar [2] ; which comprise of unrelenting chest pain, tracheal or esophageal mucosa necrosis due to pressure, development of granulation tissue causing stenosis, dyspnoea due to compression of the trachea, perforation, hemorrhage (which may be apparent as hemoptysis or hematemesis) and stent migration. Incidence of stent migration is 5% to 15% and urgent necessity for stent replacement [3,9,10] ; with these logistics, tumor in-growth through the stent metal in majority of patients with malignant esophageal fistulas covered stents are used as the cover prevent mesh [11] .…”

“…This complication is called a malignant esophageal fistula [1] . The occurrence of such fistulas is 10%-15% and life span is less than 7 weeks in patients who do not undergo treatment [2][3][4] . In patients with esophageal cancer, incidence of malignant esophageal-pleural fistula (EPF) is 5%-15% [5,6] .…”

Successful Endoscopic Dilatation to Alleviate Airway Suffocation in a Case with Esophageal Cancer After Stent Implantation

“…In the same manner, such stenting has also been shown to be useful in the treatment of ERF (2). Although considerable evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness of airway stenting in patients with unresectable esophageal cancer over the past decade (1) F i g u r e 2 . E s o p h a g e a l c a n c e r i n v a s i o n wa s s e e n i n t h e t r a c h e a l l u me n ( a r r o w) a n d t h e c i r c u mf e r e n c e o f t h e t r a c h e a ( * ) .…”

“…3 (Fig. 1c) (1,2,(7)(8)(9). ERF is one of the most difficult problems for the management of advanced esophageal cancer.…”

Tracheoesophageal fistula managed with tracheal stent through flexible bronchoscopy without fluoroscopy

“…Oesophageal stenting with the intention of sealing fistulas between alimentary and respiratory tract, when feasible, is often insufficient and noneffective [1,2]. Instead, tracheal or double (tracheal-oesophageal) stenting has been suggested as a valuable option [1][2][3].…”