BALLOON DILATATION AND SELF-EXPANDING METAL WALLSTENT INSERTION - FOR MANAGEMENT OF BRONCHOSTENOSIS FOLLOWING LUNG TRANSPLANTATION

Here we report our experience on the use of balloon dilatation or self-expandable metal S Wallstent implantation, or both, for the management of twelve bronchial stenoses in ten lung transplant recipients during the past two years. Both techniques were carried out endoscopically, under fluoroscopic guidance and without general anesthesia. Both methods were straightforward, well tolerated, and resulted in immediate symptomatic and functional improvement. The first-line treatment relied on Wallstent insertion (n = 4) or on balloon dilatation (n = 8). Early restenosis occurred in four of eight dilated stenoses and subsequently led to Wallstent insertion. Following Wallstent implantation, growth of granulation tissue occurred in one case and necessitated repeated balloon dilatations inside the stent during the following months. On two occasions, the stenosis,vas located such that the lower end of the Wallstent overlapped the upper lobe bronchus orifice. This necessitated laser therapy to eliminate the filaments of the stent crossing the lobar orifice, preventing subsequent obstruction. Laser therapy was followed, in one case, by a fibroinflammatory stenosis which was successfully treated by balloon dilatation inside the prosthesis. At the time of writing, the mean +/- SE of the follow-up after Wallstent implantation is 15.3 +/- 2.7 (range: 6 to 32) months. Most Wallstent prostheses are overgrown with bronchial epithelium. We conclude (1) that self-expanding metal Wallstent implantation is a safe procedure and good alternative to silicone stent insertion for the treatment of bronchostenosis following lung transplantation, provided granulomas are not present and (2) that balloon dilatation, although possibly leading to recurrences, can be used to allow inflammatory tissue to mature or to dilate restenoses inside the Wallstent.