Overview

Randomized, pilot study that evaluates surveillance bronchoscopy versus no surveillance for patients that undergo tracheobronchial stenting

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• All adult patients that undergo central airway (trachea, main stem bronchi and bronchus intermedius) stenting.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to obtain informed consent due to cognitive, neurologic or psychiatric impairment.
• Lobar or segmental stents alone
• Terminally ill patients considered too sick to undergo a follow-up surveillance bronchoscopy
• Stent insertion as a trial for excessive central airway collapse (as the duration of these stents is only 1-2 weeks)
• Patients with a tracheostomy (as these patients can undergo frequent in-line suctioning that can affect the outcomes being assessed)