The Gianturco stent because of increased strut pressures and anchoring hooks is less likely to migrate than the Wallstent, but is more likely to cause airway or vascular perforation. Thus the choice of which of these stents to use is down to the clinicians personal preference. There is no doubt that patients with malignant large airway obstruction can obtain great relief from stent placement, and ongoing refinement of stent design will continue to improve this vital form of palliative therapy. 1 Chest X-Ray showing complete collapse of the left lung. Figure 2 Bronchoscopic appearance of the near total occlusion of the left main bronchus.
Sufficient lumen is available to feed a guide wire through the obstruction.
A Gianturco stent has been deployed. Clearly visible is the double coil format of zig zag wire. The stent will continue to slowly expand for up to 24 hours. The Gianturco stent is visible in the left main bronchus and the left lung is re-expanding. An endotracheal metalic prosthesis in the treatment of stenosis of the trachea.