Cryotherapy in Egyptian patients with central airway obstruction: impacts on clinical pulmonary scores, pulmonary function tests and quality of life, a single center experience

Background Cryotherapy has emerged as an effective modality to manage patients with central airway obstruction (CAO). The aim was to assess the outcomes of using cryotherapy for managing CAO and its effect on the symptoms, and pulmonary function testing (PFT) in patients with CAO. Patients and methods This prospective protocol was carried out at the Chest Department, Cairo University Hospitals, in collaboration with the Military Chest Hospital over 6 months. Patients with CAO underwent cryotherapy and were assessed by the following: grade of airway obstruction, dyspnea, hemoptysis and quality of life scales, and PFT. Outcomes and safety of cryotherapy were evaluated. Results A total of 30 patients with CAO were enrolled and were divided into two groups: the malignant obstruction group (n=20) and the nonmalignant obstruction group (n=10). Complete restoration of the airway patency was achieved in 53.3% of patients. Only three (10%) cases encountered complications. There were significant postprocedural improvements of dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, quality of life scales, and PFT. Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was associated with worse outcomes. Conclusions Cryotherapy is a safe and successful method for both endobronchial exophytic tumor debulking and nonmalignant CAO. These benefits were reflected in the postprocedural improvement of clinical pulmonary scales, PFT, the grade of airway obstruction, and quality of life. Further prospective, multicenter studies are recommended.