Interventional pulmonology in the management of Benign tracheal stenosis BTS

International Conference and Exhibition on Lung Disorders & Therapeutics

July 13-15, 2015 Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Marioara Simon

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Pulm Respir Med

Abstract :

Interventional pulmonology (IP) provides comprehensive care to patients with structural airway disorders. Tracheal stenosis is a potentially life-threatening condition. With the development of interventional pulmonology field in the last 20 years, definitive management of tracheal stenosis using minimally invasive endoscopic methods became a possibility. Benign airway stenoses are frequently seen by the interventional pulmonologist. Endoscopic treatment had been shown to be useful, especially in patients who are deemed high risk and too unwell for reconstructive surgery. Many endoscopic therapeutic interventions can be offered: Balloon dilatation, rigid bronchoscopy dilatation, laser or electrosurgery resection and placement of airway stents. We have retrospectively analyzed a series of 21 patients who were referred to our department between 2013-2014 for evaluation and management of symptomatic BTS. The most common condition was post-intubation stenosis that develops after prolonged endotracheal intubation. Symptoms varied according to the severity of the stenosis, being the most frequent different degrees of dyspnea, cough and retained secretions. The endoscopic modalities used were: Balloon and rigid bronchoscopy dilatation and radial incisions with electrosurgery knife. A stent was placed in two patients. Complications were minor and mostly included restenosis. Over a median follow-up of 30 months, the overall success rate was 85.7%, only three patients being referred to surgery. Thus it can be concluded that Tracheobronchial stenoses can be difficult to treat, and patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach; every case should be discussed within a team of dedicated physicians, including a pulmonary interventionist, an otorhinolaryngologist, and a surgeon, in order to offer the best available solution.

Biography :

Marioara Simon has FCCP, MD, PhD degrees in Pulmonology, Bronchologist and Allergologist. She is the Head of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology Department, University Hospital Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She is the President of the Romanian Bronchology Section of the Romanian Pulmonology Society and on Board of WABIP as regent, on Board of EABIP as delegate from Romania. She has a strong interest in the diagnosis and endoscopic therapy of lung cancer. She has participated in EABIP, ERS and WABIP Congresses with presentations and posters and has organized and participated in many bronchological workshops. She has published books (Chronic Interstitial Fibrotic Pneumopathies, Bronchoscopistâ??s Guide) and more than 130 scientific articles and oral presentations, the majority in the diagnostic bronchoscopy and interventional pulmonology field.