• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.10-16
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• 2008

Surgical resection and reanastomosis has been the treatment of choice in patients with tracheobronchial stenosis. Recent development of bronchoscopic intervention has been replacing the role of surgery in these patients. After summarizing the upto date data of bronchoscopic intervention, the proper management of tracheobronchial stenosis will be presented. Bronchoscopic intervention would be much effective when performed under rigid bron- choscopy, due to the stable patients' condition and endoscopic view. The usual method of intervention includes ballooning, Nd-YAG laser resection, bougienation, mechanical airway dilatation, stenting and photodynamic therapy. Silicone stents are very effective in patients with tracheobronchial stenosis to maintain airway patency. Bronchoscopic intervention provided immediate symptomatic relief and improved lung function in most of patients. After airway stabilization, stents were removed successfully in 2/3 of the patients at a 12-18 months post-insertion. Less than 5% of patients eventually needs surgical management. Acute complications, including excessive bleeding, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum develops in less than 5% of patients but managed without mortality. Stent-related late complications, such as, migration, granuloma formation, mucostasis, and restenosis are relatively high but usually controlled by follow-up bronchoscopy. In conclusion, bronchoscopic intervention, including silicone stenting could be a useful and safe method for treating tracheobronchial stenosis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2018

Purpose: The endoscopic management of a fully covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) has been suggested for the primary treatment of patients with anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy. Embedded stents due to tissue ingrowth and migration are the main obstacles in endoscopic stent management. Materials and Methods: The effectiveness and safety of endoscopic management were evaluated for anastomotic leaks when using a benign fully covered SEMS with an anchoring thread and thick silicone covering the membrane to prevent stent embedding and migration. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 14 consecutive patients with gastric cancer and anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy treated from January 2009 to December 2016. Results: The technical success rate of endoscopic stent replacement was 100%, and the rate of complete leaks closure was 85.7% (n=12). The mean size of leaks was 13.1 mm (range, 3-30 mm). The time interval from operation to stent replacement was 10.7 days (range, 3-35 days) and the interval from stent replacement to extraction was 32.3 days (range, 18-49 days). The complication rate was 14.1%, and included a single jejunal ulcer and delayed stricture at the site of leakage. No embedded stent or migration occurred. Two patients died due to progression of pneumonia and septic shock 2 weeks after stent replacement. Conclusions: A benign fully covered SEMS with an anchoring thread and thick membrane is an effective and safe stent in patients with anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy. The novelty of this stent is that it provides complete prevention of stent migration and embedding, compared with conventional fully covered SEMS.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2023

The healing process of tracheobronchial tuberculosis (TB) results in tracheobronchial fibrosis causing airway stenosis in 11% to 42% of patients. In Korea, where pulmonary TB is still prevalent, post-TB tracheobronchial stenosis (PTTS) is one of the main causes of benign airway stenosis causing progressive dyspnea, hypoxemia, and often life-threatening respiratory insufficiency. The development of rigid bronchoscopy replaced surgical management 30 years ago, and nowadays PTTS is mainly managed by bronchoscopic intervention in Korea. Similar to pulmonary TB, tracheobronchial TB is treated with combination of anti-TB medications. The indication of rigid bronchoscopy is more than American Thoracic Society (ATS) grade 3 dyspnea in PTTS patients. First, the narrowed airway is dilated by multiple techniques including ballooning, laser resection, and bougienation under general anesthesia. Then, most of the patients need silicone stenting to maintain the patency of dilated airway; 1.5 to 2 years after indwelling, the stent could be removed, this has shown a 70% success rate. Acute complications without mortality develop in less than 10% of patients. Subgroup analysis showed successful removal of the stent was significantly associated with male sex, young age, good baseline lung function and absence of complete one lobe collapse. In conclusion, rigid bronchoscopy could be applied to PTTS patients with acceptable efficacy and tolerable safety.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2015

An 18-year-old woman was evaluated for a chronic productive cough and dyspnea. She was subsequently diagnosed with mediastinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). A covered self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) was implanted to relieve narrowing in for both main bronchi. The NHL went into complete remission after six chemotherapy cycles, but atelectasis developed in the left lower lobe 18 months after SEMS insertion. The left main bronchus was completely occluded by granulation tissue. However, the right main bronchus and intermedius bronchus were patent. Granulation tissue was observed adjacent to the SEMS. The granulation tissue and the SEMS were excised, and a silicone stent was successfully implanted using a rigid bronchoscope. SEMS is advantageous owing to its easy implantation, but there are considerable potential complications such as severe reactive granulation, stent rupture, and ventilation failure in serious cases. Therefore, SEMS should be avoided whenever possible in patients with benign airway disease. This case highlights that SEMS implantation should be avoided even in malignant airway obstruction cases if the underlying malignancy is curable.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.486-492
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• 2012

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze clinical situations requiring rigid bronchoscopy and evaluate usefulness of rigid bronchoscopic intervention in benign or malignant airway disorders. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopy from November 2007 to February 2011 at St. Paul's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine. Results: Of the 29 patients, the most frequent underlying etiology was benign stenosis of trachea (n=20). Of those 20 patients, 16 had post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS), 2 had tracheal stenosis due to inhalation burn (IBTS) and other 2 had obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP). Other etiologies were airway malignancy (n=6), endobronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis (n=2), and foreign body (n=1). For treatment, silicone stent insertion was done in 16 cases of PITS and IBTS and mechanical removal was performed in 2 cases of OFTP. In 6 cases of malignant airway obstruction mechanical debulking was performed and silicone stents were inserted additionally in 2 cases. Balloon dilatation and electrocautery were used in 2 cases of endobronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis. In all cases of stent, airway obstructive symptom improved immediately. Granulation tissue formation was the most common complication. Conclusion: Tracheal stenosis was most common indication and silicone stenting was most common procedure of rigid bronchoscopy in our center. Rigid bronchoscopic procedures, at least tracheal silicone stenting, should be included in pulmonary medicine fellowship programs because it is a very effective and indispensable method to relieve critical airway obstruction which needs training to learn.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2011

Purpose: Canalicular laceration is relatively common due to its exposed, vulnerable location in case of facial trauma. Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy has been the standard treatment for canalicular obstruction secondary to unrepaired canalicular laceration. In spite of a high rate of relieving tear-duct obstruction, this method is noted to be associated with low rate of patient satisfaction and a number of complications. The goal of this study is to report the good results of delayed lacrimal stent implantation with Mini Monoka$^{(R)}$ for patients whose canaliculi were not repaired by initial surgery. Methods: From May of 2005 to February of 2007, four patients who underwent delayed lacrimal stent implantation using Mini Monoka$^{(R)}$ in canalicular laceration were retrospectively reviewed. First, the previous scar incision was made over the lower lid and we identified the cut end of proximal lacerated canaliculus. The Mini Monoka$^{(R)}$ was passed through the punctum to the cut end of the proximal lacerated canaliculus. We identified the cut end of the distal lacerated canaliculus, whose cut end has rolled white edges after careful excision of the scarred lid tissue. We then passed Mini Monoka$^{(R)}$ through the lacerated inferior canaliculus. Using an operating microscope, we placed three interrupted sutures of 8-0 Ethilon to join the canalicular ends. Silicone stent was left in place for 6 months. The mean age of the patients was 48.5 years (range, 35 to 59 years). The time interval from initial trauma to delayed lacrimal stent implantation was between 3 and 31 days. Follow-up periods ranged from 12 and 20 months. Results: The results of reconstruction were classified into normal, fair and poor. Patent lacrimal drainage systems were achieved in three of the four cases. In one case, epiphora was encountered. No cases of stent displacement, conjunctivitis or granuloma formation were encountered. Conclusion: Even though canalicular reconstruction was delayed for a long time, attempting canalicular reconstruction would be acceptable before considering secondary operations like dacryocystorhinostomy and conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2005

Background : The clinical results of a Natural stent in patients with a benign tracheobronchial stenosis were examined by comparing the clinical outcomes and complications of those patients who underwent Dumon and Natural stenting in the management of benign airway stenosis. Methods : The medical records of 94 patients (39 Dumon and 55 Natural stent) with a benign tracheobronchial stenosis were reviewed and analyzed. Results : Post-tuberculous stenosis was the leading indication for airway stenting (74%), which was followed by post-intubation stenosis (21%). After intervention, the dyspnea had improved among those patients who underwent Dumon (90%) and Natural (86%) stenting. After stabilizing the dyspnea, the stent could be successfully removed in half of the patients who underwent both Dumon (54%) and Natural (49%) stenting. During the 42 month follow-up period, the complication rate was similar in those patients who underwent Dumon and Natural stenting: migration (46% vs 53%), granulation tissue formation (36% vs 49%), mucostasis (21% vs 16%) and restenosis (51% vs 36%). Conclusion : The clinical results of Natural airway stent was similar to those of Dumon stent in the management of benign tracheobronchial stenosis.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.205-212
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• 2007

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a pulsatile aortic aneurysm phantoms for in-vitro study. The phantoms consisted of a pulsating motor part(heart part) and an aortic aneurysm part, which mimicked true physiologic conditions. The heart part was created from a high-pressured water pump and a pulsatile flow solenoid valve for the simulation of aortic flow. The aortic aneurysm part was manufactured from paper clay, which was placed inside a acrylic plastic square box, where liquid silicone was poured. After the silicone was formed, the clay was removed, and a silicone tube was used to connect the heart and aneurysm part. We measured the change in pressure as related to the opening time(pulse rate, Kruskal-Wallis method) and pressure before and after the stent-graft implantation(n = 5, Wilcoxon's signed ranks test). The changes in blood pressures according to pulse rate were all statistically significant(p<0.05). The systolic/diastolic pressures at the proximal aorta, the aortic aneurysm, and the distal aorta of the model were $157.80{\pm}1.92/130.20{\pm}1.92$, $159.40{\pm}1.14/134.00{\pm}2.92$, and $147.20{\pm}1.480/129.60{\pm}2.70\;mmHg$, respectively, when the pulse rate was 0.5 beat/second. The pressures changed to $161.40{\pm}1.34/90.20{\pm}1.64$, $175.00{\pm}1.58/93.00{\pm}1.58$, and $176.80{\pm}1.48/90.80{\pm}1.92\;mmHg$, respectively, when the pulse rate was 1.0 beat/second, and $159.40{\pm}1.82/127.20{\pm}1.48$, $166.60{\pm}1.67/138.00{\pm}1.87$, and $161.00{\pm}1.22/135.40{\pm}1.67\;mmHg$, respectively, when it was 1.5 beat/second. When pulse rate was set at 1.0 beat/second, the pressures were $143.60{\pm}1.67/90.20{\pm}1.64$, $147.20{\pm}1.92/84.60{\pm}1.82$, and $137.40{\pm}1.52/88.80{\pm}1.64\;mmHg$ after stent-graft implantation. The changes of pressure before and after stent-graft implantation were statistically significant(p<0.05) except the diastolic pressures at the proximal(p =1.00) and distal aorta(p=0.157). The aortic aneurysm phantoms seems to be useful for the evaluation of the efficacy of stent-graft before animal or clinical studies because of its easy reproducibility and ability to display a wide range of pressures.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.235-242
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• 2017

Marsupialization and decompression constitute a well-established procedure for treating cavitary bone lesions of the jaw. The technique can be a primary treatment option, especially for pediatric patients with large cysts or lesions involving vital anatomical structures, such as a developing tooth germ. In this procedure, a decompression stent, such as a customized acrylic obturator or space-maintaining appliance, silicone tube, or nasal cannula, is inserted to maintain the patency of the cyst. However, this may cause clinical problems, such as irritation or trauma to the adjacent tissues, as well as discomfort to the patient, or failure of the stent due to cyst shrinkage. It can also be a reason for patient noncompliance. In the cases described here, a minimally invasive marsupialization technique using a metal tube made from a 16-gauge needle was used for odontogenic cysts in pediatric patients associated with unerupted teeth. Through this method, the lesions were removed, with patient cooperation, and the cyst-associated teeth erupted spontaneously.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.27-32
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• 2003

To evaluate usefulness of a functional tracheobronchial phantom for interventional procedure. The functional phantom was made as a actual size with human normal anatomy used silicone and a paper clay mold. A tracheobronchial-shape clay mold was placed inside a square box and liquid silicone was poured. After the silicone was formed, the clay was removed. We measured film density and tracheobronchial angle at the human, animal and phantom, respectively. The film density of trachea part were 0.76(${\pm}0.011$) in human, 0.97(${\pm}0.015$) in animal, 0.45(${\pm}0.016$) in phantom. The tracheobronchial bifurcation part measured 0.51(${\pm}0.006$) in human, 0.65(${\pm}0.005$) in animal, 0.65(${\pm}0.008$) in phantom. The right bronchus part measured 0.14(${\pm}0.008$) in human, 0.59(${\pm}0.014$) in animal and 0.04(${\pm}0.007$) in phantom. The left bronchus were 0.54(${\pm}0.004$) in human, 0.54(${\pm}0.008$) in animal and 0.08(${\pm}0.008$) in phantom. At the stent part were 0.54(${\pm}0.004$) in human, 0.59(${\pm}0.011$) in animal and 0.04(${\pm}0.007$) in phantom, respectively. The tracheobronchial angle of the left bronchus site were $42.6({\pm}2.07)^{\circ}$ in human, $43.4({\pm}2.40)^{\circ}$ in animal and $35({\pm}2.00)^{\circ}$ in phantom, respectively. The right bronchus site were $32.8({\pm}2.77)^{\circ}$ in human, $34.6({\pm}1.94)^{\circ}$ in animal and $50.2({\pm}1.30)^{\circ}$ in phantom, respectively. The phantom was useful for in-vitro testing of tracheobronchial interventional procedure, since it was easy to reproduce.