Telescoping Stents to Maintain a 3-Way Patency of the Airway.

Abstract

Background Central airway obstruction near the right upper lobe (RUL) airway orifice poses a dilemma for the clinician. Maintaining ventilation to the right middle and right lower lobes is of utmost importance. However, preserving ventilation to the RUL is desirable as well especially in patients with significant dyspnea. Case presentation In this case report, we describe telescoping 2 covered self-expanding hybrid stents to relieve airway obstruction while maintaining RUL ventilation. Conclusions Review of current literature revealed several additional documented approaches to overcome this challenge. The choice of intervention needs to be deliberated based on the available stents, delineation of the airway obstruction, and the patient's anatomy.