Saber-sheath malacic trachea remodeled and fixed into a normal shape by long-term placement and then removal of gianturco wire stent

Ann Thorac Surg. 2003 Aug;76(2):597-8. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(03)00142-5.

Abstract

We report the case of a 59-year-old man who presented with major dyspnea due to saber-sheath malacic trachea associated with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease. The placement of a temporary tracheal stent alleviated his dyspnea very well; hence the stent was replaced with a Gianturco wire stent (Cook Cardiology, Bloomington, IN). However, this required removal due to wire-stent-related complications 2 years after the replacement. Surprisingly the trachea had been remodeled to a normal shape resulting in comfortable, functional respiratory status. A review of the literature reveals our case to be the first report of curing saber-sheath malacic trachea without leaving any prostheses or other foreign materials.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bronchoscopy
  • Catheterization / instrumentation
  • Catheterization / methods*
  • Device Removal
  • Dyspnea / diagnosis
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / diagnosis*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Risk Assessment
  • Stents*
  • Thoracotomy
  • Time Factors
  • Tracheal Stenosis / complications
  • Tracheal Stenosis / pathology
  • Tracheal Stenosis / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome