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Advances in Airway Stenting

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

In this review, we summarize the evolution of airway stents through the decades and address the various existing stent types along with some investigational stents, and the available data supporting their use. We also briefly discuss the most common complications, the process of removal, and controversies regarding follow-up.

Recent Findings

Stent technology continues to evolve in an ongoing effort to develop better stents with easier placement or removal, sustained clinical benefit, and the least number of complications. These improvements have allowed for the expansion of stent use from primarily palliation in malignant airway diseases to viable therapies for benign conditions including malacia, fistulas, and post-intubation tracheal stenosis.

Summary

Airway stents can provide prompt and sustained relief of symptoms for a variety of tracheobronchial diseases. Airway stents have undergone significant advancements in the past three decades, starting with single material stents to hybrid stents and now towards more personalized stents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Faria Nasim MD, 110 S Paca Street, 2nd floor, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Hatoon Abbas & Faria Nasim

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Abbas, H., Nasim, F. Advances in Airway Stenting. Curr Pulmonol Rep 13, 87–94 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13665-023-00335-8

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