Advances in Airway Stenting

Purpose of Review In this review, we summarize the evolution of airway stents through the decades and address the various existing stent types along with some investigational stents, and the available data supporting their use. We also briefly discuss the most common complications, the process of removal, and controversies regarding follow-up. Recent Findings Stent technology continues to evolve in an ongoing effort to develop better stents with easier placement or removal, sustained clinical benefit, and the least number of complications. These improvements have allowed for the expansion of stent use from primarily palliation in malignant airway diseases to viable therapies for benign conditions including malacia, fistulas, and post-intubation tracheal stenosis. Summary Airway stents can provide prompt and sustained relief of symptoms for a variety of tracheobronchial diseases. Airway stents have undergone significant advancements in the past three decades, starting with single material stents to hybrid stents and now towards more personalized stents.