Airway complications seriously affect the clinical outcomes and long-term prognosis of lung-transplantation patients. Airway stenting provides effective palliation for patients with airway stenosis. However, a lack of consensus regarding the efficacy and safety of airway stents in airway stenosis after lung transplantation. This study critically evaluated all available evidence regarding this concern.
We retrieved studies from EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies were included if they reported baseline characteristics of airway complications after lung transplantation, stenting for airway stenosis, or prognosis.
In total, 279 papers were screened and 17 papers were included in final analysis. The short-term efficacy of airway stenting was assessed in almost all studies, with immediate palliation in symptom and improved pulmonary function reported. Eleven of the included studies evaluated the long-term efficacy of stent therapy, with no distinct lung function. The median overall survival time was 1,124 (95% confidence interval 415–1,833) days in stented patients only. Stent-related complications are common regardless of the material; However, serious complications are rare and can be improved with routine management.
We demonstrated that airway stenting is a safe and effective method to treat airway stenosis after lung transplantation. The short-term effect was significant, while the long-term efficacy on survival rate needed further investigations.