Self-expanding metal stents for the management of bronchial stenosis and bronchomalacia after lung transplantation.

Background: Airway stenosis or malacia after lung transplantation, usually as a result of anastomotic ischemia, remains a major problem.

Methods: The authors report their experience with the Gianturco expandable stent for the management of 23 bronchial stenoses in 18 patients following lung transplantation. Stent placement occurred an average of 5.6 months after transplantation.

Results: Stents were well tolerated and produced immediate symptomatic and functional improvement. The mean follow-up after implantation was 21 months (range, 4 to 48 mo). The authors removed five stents by endoscopy and replaced them, and removed one stent entirely. Laser resection was used to control granulomas or partial fibrosis stenosis that occurred in four stents (14.3%) after an average of 4 months. One stent broke but was still in place and effective 32 months later. One patient died of hemorrhage 4 months after stenting.

Conclusion: Although it can still be improved, this expandable metal stent is suitable for the treatment of posttransplantation proximal bronchial stenosis.