A Single Center Experience of Feasibility of a Novel Self-Expanding Metallic Airway Stent (Bonastent®)

Abstract

Background:

Central airway obstruction (CAO) is defined as obstruction of the airway lumen in the trachea or mainstem bronchi, most commonly due to primary or metastatic malignancy; and is classified as extraluminal, endoluminal or mixed. The majority of malignant CAO are advanced stage and require a multimodality palliative approach, including stent placement. We describe a retrospective review of a novel self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS), the Bonastent® (Thoracent, Inc. Alpharetta, GA); a fully covered, nitinol braided airway stent which conforms to airway tortuosity without loss of diameter in the management of CAO.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with CAO who underwent Bonastent® placement at a single center between February 2017 and March 2018. Ease of stent placement, short term complications (within 24 hours of stent placement) and long-term complications (within 3 months of stent placement) were recorded.

Results:

Eleven patients were identified, reviewed and included in the study. Thirteen stents in 11 patients were placed for predominantly malignant CAO. One patient had a short-term complication of stent migration. Four patients had long term complications; of which three patients had in stent mucus impaction requiring bronchoscopy. In our study, the stent related complication rates were comparable to the reported literature.

Conclusion:

In our experience, Bonastent® is an easy to use option which adds to the armamentarium of SEMS to treat malignant CAO.