Removal of self expandable metallic airway stent: A rare case report
A 21 year old female presented with complaints of increasing dyspnoea and cough with pain chest for last two weeks. Patient had a past history of benign tracheal stenosis which was opened up by endobronchial electro surgery followed by placement of a self expandable metallic airway covered stent. X-Ray chest done one and a half year back showed stent well in place [].\nBronchoscopy was done under local anesthesia and a stenosis was observed well above the level of the stent [] with granulation tissue inside the stent [], lower end of the stent was fractured, Carina was not visualized and stent was seen entering upper part of right main bronchus []. Endobronchial electro-surgery was done and the stenotic segment was dilated. Patient's vigorous cough persisted, so it was decided to remove the stent. Patient was shifted to Operation theatre and rigid bronchoscopy was done under GA. The beveled edge of the rigid scope was advanced between the stent wall and the airway mucosa thus creating a space between them. The circular extraction loop at the upper end of the metallic stent was grasped with a rigid optical alligator forceps and pulled in the lumen of rigid bronchoscope with continuous winding movements gradually separating the stent from the tracheal wall. Immediately after that, total assembly with forceps was removed and stent isolated []. Patient's cough got relieved significantly and she was discharged the following day. This is one of the rare cases of successful removal of Self Expandable Metallic Airway Covered Stent in benign tracheal stenosis.