ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of interventional therapy for central airway stenosing pulmonary disease. Methods In 389 petients diagnosed as central airway stenosis, their primary diseases were handled timely and correctly. On the basis of handling the primary disease, cetral airway stenosis was treated by interventional techniques, including electrosurgical unit (ESU), laser, argon plasma coagulation, freezing, high-pressure balloon expansion, stent implantation, local injection and toilet with lavage. Following the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines, the therapeutic effects were evaluated based on correction of stenosis after interventional treatment and the dyspnea scores. Results Of the 389 patients, 154 were treated with electrosurgical unit under bronchoscopy, 18 with laser, 76 with freezing, 69 with argon plasma coagulation, 35 with high-pressure balloon expansion, 21 with tracheobronchial stent implantation, and 16 with local injection and laving clearance. Evaluation of the therapeutic effects was made one month after the interventional treatment. As a result of the interventional treatment, a complete relieve was observed in 152 cases (39.1%), partial relieve in 138 cases (35.5%), mild response in 67 cases (17.2%), no response in 32 cases (8.2%), and with 17 deaths (4.4%). The total effective rate was 91.8%. The dyspnea scores were 1.8?0.5 before the treatment, and 0.7?0.4 after the treatment, with statistically significant difference (P