Clinical Comparison of Airway Stent Placement in Intervention Room and Operating Room

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Airway stent placement is the effective regimen for central airway obstruction (CAO), while its application scenarios varied. This study aimed to make clinical comparison of airway stent placement in the intervention room and operating room. METHODS: Patients underwent airway stent placement between 2014 and 2018 were included in this retrospective case-control study. Clinical performance of airway stent placement in intervention room and operating room were compared. RESULTS: 82 patients were included in this study, including 39 in the intervention room and 43 in the operating room. Patients treated in the intervention room had lower Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) (P=0.018) and received less Y-shaped stents (P < 0.001). Better clinical response (P=0.026), more stents placed (P < 0.001) and longer length of stent (P < 0.001) were observed in operating room, while there was no significantly statistical difference of stent-related complications and post-stent survival rate between the two groups. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) supported airway stent placement procedures were performed in the operating room, which provided definitive safety support for high-risk intervention. CONCLUSION: Patients with CAO could benefit from the operating room scenario, and airway stent placement in the operating room is more suitable for patients with higher CCI scores and receiving more complicated procedures.