ABSTRACT
Tracheal stenosis is an unnatural narrowing of the trachea with traumatic, neoplastic, or idiopathic causes that, despite being relatively rare, can be life threatening (Spittle and McCluskey, 2000). Until now, tracheal resection surgery remains the preferred choice of treatment. In this modality, the narrowed part of the trachea is removed and the ends are sutured together (Elliott et al. 2003; Grillo et al. 1995). When the stenosis is too long or when the patient status does not permit a surgical procedure, stent implants can render a successful solution to the stricture (Venuta et al. 2004; Saito and Imamura, 2005). Stents are tubular structures, currently made of silicone or metallic alloys, used to return normal breathing function to a patient by pushing the narrowed regions of the trachea. Since they are usually implanted with bronchoscopes, they reduce the surgical risk to the patient, especially when compared with tracheal resection (Ching-Yang et al. 2007; Mandour et al. 2003; Miyazawa et al. 2004).
