Bronchology

Unlike ordinary metallic stents, these medical-grade silicone stents can be removed once the occlusion has healed.

General considerations about the stents

• Choose a prosthesis that exceeds the affected area by 5 to 7 mm in both distal and proximal directions.
• Larger-diameter prostheses provide a wider lumen for ventilation, but the frequency of contact granulomas at the ends will also increase.
• After ejection it may not fully expand immediately depending on extrinsic compression and local oedema; complete expansion happens spontaneously within 24 to 72 hours.
• Although Stening® is highly resistant to laser and electrocautery loops, direct action on the prosthesis must be avoided.
• Keep the device protected from daylight or fluorescent tubes to preserve its translucent appearance.
• Patients with tracheal prostheses should not undergo standard pre-anaesthetic orotracheal intubation; consult a specialist when intubation is essential.
• Provide the patient with a document explaining their situation and the implanted stent model.
• Reuse of the Stening® is not recommended.
• If needed, prescribe saline nebulisations several times a day, reducing frequency as the risk of secretion encrustation decreases.