External stenting can relieve chronic airway obstruction in children

Surgeons in Japan have developed a technique to relieve airway obstruction in children. The technique, known as external stenting (ES), expands and stabilizes the airway by suspending its wall to a rigid prosthesis placed around the bronchus or trachea. ES avoids the problem of granulation formation resulting from endolumenal corrective approaches, such as endoscopic stent placement. The researchers describe the ES technique in detail as well as report on indications, complications, and long-ter...