Stenting of the tracheobronchial tree

With the recent development of metallic stents, interventional radiologists are involved increasingly in the treatment of tracheobronchial obstructions. Stents often are needed in the treatment of obstruction from submucosal or extrabronchial lesions. Various metallic stents have been used to achieve immediate resolution of respiratory symptoms. Complications and longterm success rates have been variable. An analytical comparison is made between the different types of metallic stents based on their design, associated complications, and long-term patency rate.