Where to get information about tracheal stents?
Laryngeal and tracheal stents are solid or hollow absorbable or nonabsorbable tubes of various shapes, sizes, and materials. Stents are used as primary treatment for lumen collapse or to stabilize a reconstructive effort of the larynx or trachea to prevent collapse. Stents can be used for the larynx and the trachea individually, or they can be used interchangeably or concomitantly. This article reviews (1) various laryngeal, tracheal, and combination stents; (2) disease processes for which stents are used; and (3) new stent designs. For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine’s Procedures Center . Also, see eMedicine’s patient education article Bronchoscopy. History of the Procedure: The word stent is derived from Charles B. Stent, a British dentist who practiced in the late 19th century. Stent developed material that was used for dental impressions and, later, to support skin grafts. In current practice, the word stent refers to material that supports some form of tissu
