PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Clara Pugmire
AU  - Brendan Madden
TI  - Endobronchial interventions used in the management of large airway malignancies and their associated complications: An audit
DP  - 2012 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P2944
VI  - 40
IP  - Suppl 56
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2944.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2944.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40
AB  - Introduction: Endobronchial intervention is an expanding specialty involving a Multi- Disciplinary Team, which diagnoses and treats a diverse group of patients with large airway pathology. It is usually well tolerated and rarely contraindicated even for patients with advanced malignant disease.Aims: To identify the different endobronchial interventions used in the treatment of airway malignancies at St. George's Hospital, and document associated complications.Methods: Data relating to endobronchial stenting, laser ablation and forceps debulking, and any short-term complications, were collected from the St. George's Hospital patient database for 49 consecutive patients with airway malignancy.Results: 36 (73%) patients had stent deployment, 7 (14%) had laser ablation and 3 (6%) had tumours debulked using forceps. Complications occurred in 9 (18.4%) patients and were granulation tissue formation (3), mucus retention (3), stent migration (2) and bleeding (1). All complications were effectively treated.Conclusions: Stenting is the endobronchial intervention of choice for the treatment of large airway malignancies at St. George's Hospital. Although it has the greatest associated complications, they are usually effectively treated. Furthermore, it is safe, well tolerated and achieves good symptomatic relief.