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

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, the Bonastent; 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\u2009h of stent placement) and long-term complications (within 3\u2009mo 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 3 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 the self-expandable metallic stent to treat malignant CAO.