Endobronchial tumor debulking with a flexible cryoprobe for immediate treatment of malignant stenosis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

In addition to use of a laser, argon plasma coagulation, electrocautery, or coring with a rigid bronchoscope, tumor debulking with a flexible cryoprobe is used for therapeutic bronchoscopy with an immediate effect for endobronchial pathologies. We performed this analysis to determine the usefulness, efficacy, and safety of the flexible cryorecanalization in a large population under routine conditions.

METHODS:

We identified 225 bronchoscopic interventions that were done as cryorecanalization with a flexible cryoprobe. All patients had symptomatic airway stenosis. We determined the endoscopic success rate and safety (bleeding and perforation) of the procedure.

RESULTS:

Successful cryorecanalization was achieved in 205 (91.1%) of 225 patients. The flexible cryoprobe was used with all patients, in most patients in combination with flexible bronchoscopy and only in a minority (n = 31, 13.8%) in combination with a rigid bronchoscope. Additional interventional techniques used were endobronchial stents (n = 11, 4.9%) and argon plasma coagulation (n = 37, 16.4%). Mild bleeding (if ice-cold NaCl or epinephrine solution was necessary) occurred in 9 (4.0%) patients, moderate bleeding (if argon plasma coagulation or a bronchus blocker was required) occurred in 18 (8.0%) patients, and severe bleeding (events with hemodynamic instability) never occurred.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cryorecanalization with the flexible cryoprobe for treatment of symptomatic endobronchial tumor stenosis is a safe technique with a high success rate and immediate treatment effect.

• Authors: Christian Schumann, Martin Hetzel, Alexander J Babiak, Jürgen Hetzel, Tobias Merk, Thomas Wibmer, Philipp M Lepper, Stefan Krüger
• Journal: The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg) Vol. 139 Issue 4 Pg. 997-1000 (Apr 2010) ISSN: 1097-685X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19716140 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Airway Obstruction (etiology, surgery)
• Bronchial Diseases (complications, surgery)
• Bronchial Neoplasms (complications, surgery)
• Bronchoscopy
• Constriction, Pathologic
• Cryosurgery (instrumentation)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Tracheal Diseases (complications, surgery)
• Tracheal Neoplasms (complications, surgery)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult