RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Tracheobronchial stents in palliative care: a case series and literature review
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 335
OP 339
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001522
VO 8
IS 3
A1 Richard Tjahjono
A1 Ronald Yoon-Kong Chin
A1 Peter Flynn
YR 2018
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/8/3/335.abstract
AB Objective To evaluate the outcomes of tracheobronchial stenting in patients with malignant central airway obstruction and assist practitioners in palliative settings in understanding the indications, contraindications and management of tracheobronchial stents.Methods This retrospective study involved a consecutive case series of palliative patients with central airway obstruction secondary to inoperable cancers who underwent tracheobronchial stenting at a single institution. The European Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale was used to evaluate patient functional status before and after tracheobronchial stenting.Results Twenty-three patients underwent tracheobronchial stenting for malignant central airway obstruction. The majority of patients presented with symptoms of worsening dyspnoea (21 of 23; 91%). Postoperatively, there was a significant improvement in mean ECOG performance status from 2.88±0.34 to 1.58±0.50 (p<0.01). There was no intraoperative mortality resulting from tracheobronchial stenting. Five patients (21.74%) re-presented to hospital due to worsening symptoms and required emergency bronchoscopy. Two patients had stent migration, requiring stent replacement. One patient restenosed from tumour granulation, requiring microdebrider to debulk the mass. Two patients had stent failure secondary to external tumour compression, leading to death.Conclusion Tracheobronchial stenting is a safe and effective procedure that offers rapid palliation of symptoms and improvement in patient functional status.