OBJECTIVE

To analyze the results of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in patients with tracheal tumors.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients (31 males and 16 females) aged 16 to 78 years (mean age, 58.12±14.33 years) with tracheal tumors underwent endoscopic interventions in the period 2003 to 2020. Twenty-seven (57.4%) patients had a secondary tracheal tumor (due to cancer of the thyroid, esophagus, and lung and to recurrent tumors of the larynx, esophagus, and thyroid).

RESULTS

Benign tracheal tumors were removed in 16 patients. A stent was installed in 35 patients with primary or secondary malignant tracheal tumors (28 had fully covered metal stents; 7 had Dumon-type silicone stents). In 26 patients, metal stents were placed under neuroleptic analgesia in combination with local anesthesia. There were no complications during the installation process. The intervention was successful in all cases. There were no postoperative complications after silicone stenting. When the fully covered metal stents were used, 3 (10.7%) patients experienced a partial downward stent dislocation during the first two days after intervention. Stent-to-stent placement was repeated in 2 (7.1%) patients (thrice in one case). A total of 32 self-expanding metal stents were installed in 28 patients.

CONCLUSION

Both radical and palliative interventions for tracheal tumors can effectively and relatively safely restore and maintain airway patency. The procedure for tumor exposure and the type of an installed stent depend on the equipment of a healthcare facility and on the preference of an endoscopist. Self-expanding metal stent placement is optimal, allowing one to fully control the process of positioning and opening the stent, to perform the intervention during spontaneous breathing, which is important in patients with extrinsic tracheal compression.