Lung & Respiratory Care

Biography

Biography: Marioara Simon

Abstract

Interventional pulmonology (IP) provides comprehensive care to patients with structural airway disorders. Tracheal stenosis is a potentially life-threatening condition. With the development of interventional pulmonology field in the last 20 years, definitive management of tracheal stenosis using minimally invasive endoscopic methods became a possibility. Benign airway stenoses are frequently seen by the interventional pulmonologist. Endoscopic treatment had been shown to be useful, especially in patients who are deemed high risk and too unwell for reconstructive surgery. Many endoscopic therapeutic interventions can be offered: balloon dilatation, rigid bronchoscopy dilatation, laser or electrosurgery resection and placement of airway stents. We have retrospectively analyzed a series of 27 patients who were referred to our department between 2013-2016 for evaluation and management of symptomatic BTS. The most common condition was postintubation stenosis that develops after prolonged endotracheal intubation. Symptoms varied according to the severity of the stenosis, being the most frequent different degrees of dyspnea, cough and retained secretions. The endoscopic modalities used were: balloon and rigid bronchoscopy dilatation and radial incisions with electrosurgery knife. A stent was placed in two patients. Complications were minor and mostly included restenosis. Over a median follow-up of 30 months, the overall success rate was 85.7%, only three patients being referred to surgery. Conclusion. Tracheobronchial stenoses can be difficult to treat, and patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach; every case should be discussed within a team of dedicated physicians, including a pulmonary interventionist, an otorhinolaryngologist, and a surgeon, in order to offer the best available solution.