Airway stenting

If you have persistent trouble breathing or catching your breath, your doctor may recommend an airway stent. This procedure places a hollow tube, called a stent, in your airway to widen and support it, making it easier for you to breathe. Airway stents, also referred to as lung stents or endobronchial stents, are positioned in the main windpipe (trachea) or in smaller airways (bronchii) that branch off from the trachea to the lungs. Different types of airway stents come in various sizes and materials, including metal, silicone, or hybrid materials. Your doctor will choose the best option for you.

Airway stenting is performed by interventional pulmonologists or thoracic surgeons who specialize in treating diseases of the lungs or chest. They use a minimally invasive technique called bronchoscopy to place the tracheal stent or bronchial stent in the proper position. Penn Medicine interventional pulmonology specialists have deep experience using the latest techniques to place stents that open your airways and help you breathe better.

Airway stents are used to treat many different types of airway disorders. Depending on your diagnosis, lung stents may be placed permanently or used for short periods and then removed.

Some common reasons for getting an airway stent include:

• Lung cancer: Cancerous tumors in the lungs, often present with a lung cancer diagnosis, may cause difficulty breathing by obstructing the airway.
• Benign growths in the airways: Sometimes a noncancerous tumor in the lungs can narrow the airway, making it difficult to breathe.
• Tracheobronchomalacia: This disease weakens the trachea and bronchii, causing an airway collapse when you cough or breathe.
• Airway stenosis: This narrowing of the airway may be caused by illness, inflammation, or trauma, disrupting breathing and speech.
• Chronic conditions that impact breathing: A lung stent may be recommended as part of treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other chronic disorders, particularly when other treatments for the condition have not resolved breathing issues.
• Post-surgical or injury support: An airway stent may be used temporarily to support healing of the airways after surgery or injury.

You may not be eligible for a tracheobronchial stent procedure if surgery is expected on your airways in the future, or if you have certain health risks like a bleeding disorder. Your doctor will review your medical history and overall health to be sure that an airway stent is the best treatment option.

Airway stenting is an outpatient procedure, and you can expect to go home the same day. Your doctor will provide fasting and medication instructions to follow in advance of the procedure. Talk with your care team if you have questions about these preparation guidelines.

On the day of your procedure, you’ll receive anesthesia or sedation through an IV (intravenous line) to keep you relaxed, drowsy, and pain free. Your doctor will also spray a local anesthetic into the back of your throat to numb the area where a thin, flexible tube, called a bronchoscope, will be inserted. They may also supply oxygen through a small tube that rests beneath your nose.

Your doctor will guide the bronchoscope through your nose or mouth and into the specific part of your airway that needs support. They’ll send the stent through the bronchoscope, pushing it down the full length of the tube. When the stent is released from the bronchoscope, it expands in place, pushing the airway open. After the stent is positioned, the bronchoscope is removed.

You’ll go to a recovery room where your care team will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs. You should be free to go home within a few hours.

You may notice that you’re breathing easier soon after the procedure is complete.

It’s normal to cough up a small amount of blood immediately after the stenting procedure and to have a hoarse voice, sore throat, or a little cough for a few days. You should be able to return to light activities the day after your procedure.

Oral or inhaled (nebulized) medications are often prescribed to help keep the stent clear and functioning well and to avoid the buildup of mucus. It’s important that you take your medications as directed and attend all follow-up appointments to be sure you are healing well.

If you have chest pain, fever, excessive bleeding, or unusual phlegm color after you return home, this may be a sign of infection. Contact your doctor so they can prescribe medications or suggest additional treatment to support your recovery.

In most cases, you won’t have any lifestyle restrictions with a stent. For example, it should be fine to go through airport security or undergo medical procedures like chemotherapy or MRI imaging. Your doctor will discuss any specific guidelines you should follow.

Sometimes an airway stent can be clogged with mucus or growing tissue, narrowing the airway and making it more difficult to breathe. By taking your medications, you can reduce this risk.

In rare cases, an airway stent may move out of position, or a collapsed lung might occur. If you experience sudden shortness of breath, coughing fits, or chest pain, contact your doctor for prompt follow-up treatment.

Penn Medicine performs one of the highest volumes of airway stenting procedures in the country, offering innovative care for even the most complex airway diseases. We specialize in advanced procedures that are less invasive than surgical options, so you receive expert treatment along with faster recovery times. Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in pulmonology, thoracic medicine, and pulmonary rehabilitation to provide well-rounded care that’s right for you.