Abstract Rationale Post-tracheotomy stenosis as a result of mechanical ventilation makes decannulation impossible, often hinders rehabilitation and prevents the patient’s overall improvement. In a tracheostomized patient, tracheal narrowing of another etiology (pre-existing) has the same impact. Bronchoscopic intervention is needed, biodegradable tracheal stent appears to be suitable for its good adaptation to airway anatomy and minimal mucostasis. Objectives To describe the results in patients with tracheostomy tube-dependent tracheal narrowing treated with biodegradable (BD) tracheal stents. To assess safety and efficacy. Methods A retrospective review of patients with tracheal narrowing who failed decannulation trial and were treated with a biodegradable tracheal stent. We used polydioxanone stents (ELLA-CS Ltd., Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic) which were implanted during rigid bronchoscopy. Primary surgical treatment was not possible. Results We intervened 21 patients meeting the above criteria, 16 of them got rid of the cannula with stent placement, 3 after a longer period. No serious deterioration or early death were recorded. Most patients had an overall long-term benefit from the treatment, some needed repeated bronchoscopies and re-stentings. Conclusion BD tracheal stents enabled decannulation in patients in poor general condition recovering from intensive care. They were safe and provided adequate support until they began to degrade. This abstract is funded by: None
Vasakova et al. (Fri,) studied this question.