Tracheobronchial stents are devices meant to open collapsed airways. A stenosis or a narrowing of the light can be produced by many factors: lung cancer, metastatic cancers, infections, lymphomas, tuberculosis, abnormal granulation tissue, etc.
Silicone stents are cylindrical or slightly conical and can be inserted through a bronchoscope. Despite having many materials to develop stents, silicone is the one that shows better results when dealing with the vast majority of conditions.
The stents can be permanent or removable. In addition, they can be used after laser photorecorder, cryotherapy or electrocautery, to maintain the opening of the airway. Once placed in the airway, it remains open so that the air can circulate in an adequate way and allowing the normal passage of secretions.
Tracheobronchial stents are designed exclusively to be used in the airway. Its placement is carried out by qualified pulmonologists. They require postoperative care to make sure they stay openned.
The devices may vary in stiffness as well as in compressive strength, it depends on the thickness of the wall. Above all, the greatest benefit of a stent is that it allows the airway to remain open and prevent it from collapsing.