Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of use of a retrieval hook for removal of retrievable expandable tracheobronchial stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With fluoroscopic guidance, a retrieval hook was used to remove 45 retrievable expandable tracheobronchial stents in 31 patients. Indications for stent removal included tissue hyperplasia (n = 16), stent migration (n = 10), stent misplacement (n = 2), tumor overgrowth (n = 2), persistent gastrobronchial fistula (n = 1), and incompletely expanded stent (n = 1). Thirteen stents were electively removed after temporary use. The success rate, causes of failure, and complications related to stent removal with a retrieval hook were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-one of 45 stents (91.1%) were successfully removed with a retrieval hook. The following difficulties were encountered: disruption of the polyurethane membrane (n = 3) and an untied drawstring (n = 1). The removal procedure failed in four cases (8.9%) because of excessive tissue hyperplasia (n = 4) in the proximal portion of the stent. The hook wire fractured in two of the four failed cases. The overall complication rate was 4.4% (minor bleeding, n = 2). CONCLUSION: For complications with or temporary use of retrievable expandable tracheobronchial stents, removal with a retrievable hook shows promising initial results.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 697-705 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine