Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
-
Silicone airway stents are used to widen narrowed airways in patients with post-tuberculosis tracheobronchial stenosis (PTTS). After mechanical stabilization, stents can be removed from the majority of patients leaving restored airway patency. However, in a significant minority re-stenosis develops post-sten removal thus necessitating surgical intervention or long-term stenting. In this study, we sought to establish prognostic factors for successful airway intervention in PTTS. ⋯ Airway intervention, including silicone stenting, can be successful in patients with PTTS, when the intervention is performed within 1 month of atelectasis and before complete lobar atelectasis.