Comparison of Natural and Dumon airway stents for the management of benign tracheobronchial stenoses

Objective and background: To investigate the utility and safety of the 'Natural stent', a newly designed silicone airway stent, the authors compared clinical outcomes and complications in patients who underwent silicone airway stenting for the management of benign airway stenosis. Methods: The medical records of 94 patients requiring the placement of 100 airway stents (43 Dumon and 57 Natural) were retrospectively reviewed in a tertiary referral hospital. Results: Post-tuberculous stenosis was the leading indication for airway stenting (74%), followed by post-intubation stenosis (21%). After intervention, dyspnoea improved in patients who underwent Dumon (90%) and Natural (86%) stenting. After stabilizing dyspnoea, stents could be successfully removed in half of the patients who underwent Dumon (54%) or Natural (49%) stenting. During a 42-month follow-up period, complication rates were similar in patients who underwent Dumon or Natural stenting. Conclusion: Natural airway stent was as effective and safe as Dumon stent for the management of benign tracheobronchial stenoses.