Nitinol alloy endotracheal stent for treatment of tracheal stenosis

Objective: To treat inoperable severe tracheal stenosis by using nitinol endotracheal stent and to study the biocompatibility of which being long-term implanted in the body. Methods: The stent was deformed to smaller size in iced water. With a self-made introducer,the stent was placed in the location of stenosis. After hot water was injected into the introducer,the stent resumed its original form and anchored the re. Items such as roentgenography,endoscopy were performed. By means of electronic-microscope and micro-balance,corrosion situation on the surface of stents were studied after long-term implantation (2,10,14months). Results: Altogether 10patients with severe tracheal stenosis received this treatment. Dyspnea was relieved immediately after implantation of stents in all patients. Long-term follow-up also showed satisfactory results. The stent has a good biocompatibility after long-term implantation in the body. Conclusions: Nitinol stent as a new endoprosthesis is effective in treatment of inoperable severe tracheal stenosis. It has some remarkable advantages as compared with other tracheal stents.