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. 2023 Jun 24;15(6):e40912. doi: 10.7759/cureus.40912

Table 5. Outcomes and Complications .

KPS: Karnofsky score

MRC: Medical Research Council

FVC: Forced expiratory capacity in liters

FEV1: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second in liters

PEF: Peak expiratory flow in liters per minute

PEFR: Peak expiratory flow rate in liters per minute

ECOG: European Cooperative Oncology Group 

SE: Standard error 

SD: Standard deviation 

  Authors Post procedure stenosis Post procedure pulmonary function testing Post procedure dyspnea grade/additional scoring systems and scales used Post procedure blood gas parameters Survival outcomes Other Complications, n (number of patients)
1. Dalar L et al [8].   Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Median follow-up period: 5.3 months (range 0–100 months). Factors significantly affecting survival:   Type of malignancy causing central airway obstruction (p<0.01). Site of lesion (p< 0.01)   The type of endobronchial treatment modality (p=0.01).   Survival (mean months with 95% confidence interval, % at 3 and 6 months): Laser only: 22.4 (16-27.8), 71 and 57. Argon plasma coagulation only: 29.7 (21.7-37.9), 58 and 49. Cryotherapy only: 20.9 (3.9-37.8), 57 and 35. Stent only: 10.7 (5.9-15.4), 38 and 26. Laser and stent: 7.9 (1.8-14.1), 42 and 11. Argon plasma coagulation and stent: 11.9 (5.7-18.1), 48 and 38.           Complication Rate: 10.8% (59 out of 547). Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth: 20. Complications following endobronchial treatment: 59. Arrhythmias during endobronchial treatment: 4. Hypertensive attack: 9   Oxygen desaturation: 24. Restenosis due to the tumor progression: 20.
2. Dutau H et al [9].   Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned At the end of the follow up period: 11 out of 40 patients were alive in the stent arm. 10 out of 38 patients were alive in the no stent arm (7 had no recurrence, 3 had recurrence and 1 patient required re-stenting). Survival not affected by stent placement, non-significant improvements in survival times). Survival appeared to be affected by local recurrence.     Not mentioned Death causes: Progressive cachexia: Stent arm: 17 (42.5%). No stent arm: 17 (44.7%). Progressive bronchial obstruction: Stent arm: 2 (5%). No stent arm: 3 (7.9%). Metastases: Stent arm: 2 (5%). No stent arm: 3 (7.9%).   Other (including hemoptysis): Stent arm: 7 (17.5%). No stent arm: 5 (1.1%).   Unknown: Stent arm: 1 (2.5%). No stent arm: 0 (0%).
3. Grosu HB et al [10]. Degree of post procedure airway obstruction: 0 to 49%, 21 patients. 50-100%, 6 patients. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Lower respiratory tract infection: 23 (Acute bronchitis: 5. Pneumonia, not in obstruction/stent area: 2. Pneumonia distal to obstruction/stent area: 10. Pneumonia, multi-lobar: 6.   Mortality/death: 32. Granulation tissue: 3. Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth: 15. Interventions performed for restenosis: 13. New stent placed for restenosis: 5. Stent removal required: 1. Migration: 1   Retained secretions/mucoid impaction: 5. Stent fracture: 3.
4. Huang S et al [11].   Not mentioned Not mentioned The 24-hour post-stent placement mean KPS (Mean ± SD) significantly improved (79.05 ± 20.71 vs. 56.67 ± 23.52, P<0.001). By the subgroup analysis, the KPS improved in both the Lung cancer and Esophageal cancer groups (Lung cancer group: 55.45 ± 21.15 vs. 75.45 ± 22.07; P=0.001, and Esophageal cancer group: 54.29 ± 24.72 vs. 83.57 ± 16.92; P<0.001). Not mentioned Not mentioned Follow up: 545 days Infection: 3. Granulation tissue: 7. Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth: 3. Migration: 5. Retained secretions/mucoid impaction: 7. Stent malposition: 1. Bleeding: 1. Vocal cord paralysis: 4. Fistula: 2. Atelectasis: 1   Double placement: 10.         
5. Iyoda A et al [12]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned After stenting,   Median survival times: SS: 5.585 months, MS: 3.220 months. 1-year survival rates: were SS: 25.1% MS: 5.1%. 2-year survival rates: SS: 15.7% MS: 5.1%, SS patients had significantly better prognoses than MS patients (p = 0.0173). Not mentioned Infections: 1 (MS 1). 30-day mortality: SS 6, MS 11. On the 30-day mortality rate, there were no significant differences between SS and MS.   Granulation tissue: SS 2, MS 3. Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth: SS 1. Migration: SS 5, MS 3. Retained secretions/mucoid impaction: SS 4, MS 6. Bleeding: SS 2. Halitosis: MS 1.      
6. Lachkara S et al [13]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Mortality/death: Silicone Y group, 32 (80%) patients SEM Y group, 34 (89%) patients. Median survival: Silicone Y group, 171 days (IQR 53-379 days) SEM Y group, 104 days (IQR 53-230). Symptom relief: Silicone Y group, 27 patients SEM Y group, 32 patients. Mean duration of stent in days: Silicone Y group, 150.2 days SEM Y group, 112 days. Stent removal: Silicone Y group, 9 days SEM Y group, 7 days. Early complications (less than 7 days): Silicone Y group, 9 (27%) SEM Y group, 6 (15%). Late complications (more than 7 days): Silicone Y group, 15 (46%) SEM Y group, 23 (59%).   Complications: Silicone Y group, 18 (55%) SEM Y group, 25 (65%).  
7. Ma G et al [14]. Not mentioned Not mentioned KPS value: 84.62 ± 5.03. PaO2: 11.12 ± 0.61.   PaCO2: 4.58 ± 0.30.         Three-year survival rates: Lung cancer group, 10 % Esophageal carcinoma group, 7.7% Lymphoma group, 66.7%. Average survival period: Lung cancer group, 16.3 Esophageal cancer group, 9.07 Lymphoma group 35.5 months. The three-year survival rate was significantly higher in lymphoma group than in lung cancer or esophageal cancer group (p < 0.01).   Not mentioned Infections: 4. Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth: 8. Chest pain: 25. Mild fever: 5. 
8. Marchese R et al [15]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Statistically significant score difference in the Barthel Index: Median 69 (range 25-93) immediately post procedure, Median 90, (range 35-100) 24 hours after the procedure; p < 0.001. MRC score: Median 3 immediately post procedure, Median 1 24 hours after the procedure; p < 0.001. Not mentioned Follow-up, days Mean 119±120 Range 22–549 Median 74.   A radiographic improvement was detected in 48% of patients. Infections: 3 (5.7%). Granulation tissue in 2 (3.8%). Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth in 8 (15%). Stent migration in 7 (13.4%): Post chemotherapy regression of tumor 3 (5.7%) Intraprocedural dislocation 1 (1.9%) Dislocation into cavity abscess 1 (1.9%) Stent-related migration in 2 (3.8). Three patients needed mechanical ventilation in the postoperative period for less than 8 hours, and 2 experienced atrial fibrillation treated with pharmacological cardioversion with success.      
9. Marchese R et al [16]. Not mentioned Not mentioned MMRC (modified Medical Research Counsel) dyspnea score  (Mean ± SD) (2.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.2 ± 0.5; p <0.01) (immediate post procedure period and 1 month).    Oxygen saturation (Mean ± SD) (95 ± 2 vs 96 ± 2.4; p <0.01) (immediate post procedure period and 1 month). Not mentioned Discharge occurred 2 ± 3 days after the procedure and the mean follow-up duration was 123 days ± 157 (range: 15–653 days). The median overall survival was 118 ± 21days. The survival of patients with a double airway stent was worse than patients with a single one (p <0.01).   Not mentioned Early complications after bronchoscopy intervention: Atrial fibrillation 2 (3.9%). Respiratory distress (non-invasive ventilation) 3 (5.8%). Pneumonia 1 (1.9%)   Obstruction due to tenacious secretions 1 (1.9%).  Infections: 7 (13%). Granulation tissue in 4 (7.6%). Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth in 5 (9.8%). Migration: Post-chemotherapy regression of tumor 2 (3.9%). Dislocation into cavitary abscess 2 (3.9%). Stent related migration 2 (3.9%).    
10. Marchioni A et al [17]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Median follow-up from diagnosis was 21 (IQR 9-36) months. Overall survival was longer in IT (Interventional Bronchoscopy AND chemo-radio) group vs ST (standard Treatment and chemo-radio) although not statistically significant (23.7 months vs 19.2 months, p = 0.2). IT group showed a significantly higher survival gain over ST when patients had KRAS mutation (7.6 months vs 0.8 months, p <0.0001), a lumen occlusion>65% (6.6 months vs 2.9 months, p <0.001), and no involvement of left bronchus (7 months vs 2.3 months, <0.0001). Finally, IT showed a statistically significant favorable difference in terms of overall new hospitalizations (p = 0.03), symptom free interval (p = 0.02), and onset of atelectasis (p = 0.01), but not for occurrence of infections or hemorrhage (p = 0.7 and p = 0.8 respectively, onset of respiratory failure (p = 0.1), use of palliative care (p = 0.9). Not mentioned   Granulation tissue (8). Complications at 1-year 10 (19): Post-obstructive pneumonia, n (%) 5 (9). Granulation, n (%) 8 (15). Dislocation, n (%) 8 (15). Removal, n (%) 9 (17). Occlusion, n (%) 6 (20).      
11. Miyazawa T et al [18]. Significant improvement in obstruction of airway diameter (Mean % ± SD) : 81.6 ± 15% before vs 14.6 ± 17% on day 1, 12.6 ± 12% on day 30, and 22.6 ± 28% on day 60; p, 0.001.   VC in liters: 2.46 ± 0.60 (p <0.01).   FEV1 in liters: 1.74 ± 0.52 (p <0.001). PEF in liters/second: 3.6 ± 1.2 (p<0.05). The flow volume loop after implantation of the stent showed immediate improvement of flow limitation. The dyspnea index improved significantly after implantation (before vs days 1, 30, and 60; p, 0.001).       Not mentioned The median survival time of patients was 3 months.   The 1-year survival rate was 25.4%   Symptom improvement immediately post procedure in 82% of the patients. Mortality: 15 cases of cachexia, 5 cases of bleeding, and 1 case of respiratory insufficiency. Granulation Tissue: 1. Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth: 2-month follow-up period were tumor ingrowth (24%) and tumor overgrowth (21%). Retained secretions/mucoid impaction in 9.        
12. Miyazawa T et al [19]. Not mentioned Statistically significant improvement in spirometry and flow volume curves in all stenoses (values mentioned as mean ± SD). Tracheal stenosis: FVC = 3.15 ± 1.87. FEV1 = 2.32 ± 0.57. PEF = 4.69 ± 1.36. Vmax 50% = 2.42 ± 1.20. Vmax 25% = 0.87 ± 0.70. Carinal Stenosis: FVC= 2.73 ± 0.66. FEV1= 2.04 ± 0.55. PEF = 4.57 ± 1.74. Vmax 50% = 2.01 ± 1.00 Vmax25% = 0.59 ± 0.35. Bronchial Stenosis: FVC = 2.50 ± 0.79. FEV1 = 1.79 ± 0.55. PEF = 3.92 ± 1.82. Vmax 50% = 1.65 ± 0.72. Vmax 25% = 0.62 ± 0.35. Extensive stenosis: FVC = 2.33 ± 0.63 (After 1st stenting), 2.70 ± 0.53 (After 2nd stenting). FEV1 = 1.33 ± 0.50 (After 1st stenting), 1.91 ± 0.41 (After 2nd stenting). PEF = 2.53 ± 1.35 (After 1st stenting), 3.89 ± 0.91 (After 2nd stenting). Vmax 50% = 0.94 ± 0.42 (After 1st stenting), 1.99 ± 0.83 (After 2nd stenting). Vmax 25% = 0.34 ± 0.29 (After 1st stenting), 0.58 ± 0.42 (After 2nd stenting).  The dyspnea grades (World Health Organization Index) improved significantly in tracheal, carinal, bronchial, and extensive stenosis groups. Tracheal stenosis: 0 (6), I (14), II (0), III (0), IV (0). Carinal Stenosis: 0 (8), I (8), II (0), III (0), IV (0). Bronchial stenosis: 0 (8), I (10), II (0), III (0), IV (0). Extensive stenosis: After 1st stenting: 0 (0), I (0), II (3), III (7), IV (0). After 2nd stenting: 0 (3) ,I (7), II (0), III (0), IV (0). Not mentioned Median survival times (in months ± SD ) after stenting in the groups were as follows: Tracheal stenosis group, 5.9 ± 5.0; carinal stenosis group, 5.6 ± 2.6; bronchial stenosis group, 5.5 ± 3.0; and extensive stenosis group, 3.0 ± 1.0 months. Not mentioned Granulation tissue in 22%. Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth in 28%. Migration in 8%. Retained secretions/mucoid impaction in 31%.
13. Monnier P et al [20]. Bronchial obstruction (degree in %) post operative, on day 30 and on day 90/number of patients: 0-25%: 39, 10, 7. 25-50%: 0, 2, 0.   50-75%: 0, 5, 2.   75-90%: 0, 2, 1.   90-100%: 0, 0, 0.   Not mentioned The average Kamofsky Performance Index improved from 40 to 70 after prosthesis deployment. Dyspnea grade evaluation on day 1, 30 and 90/number of patients: 0: 7, 2: 2. 1: 14, 5: 4. 2: 13, 11: 5, 3: 3, 2: 1, 4: 2, 2: 1.       Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Stent migration: 5. Retained secretions: 15. Granulation Tissue: 4. Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth: 10. No serious complications (death, perforation, hemorrhage, inability to remove an improperly placed prosthesis).  
14. Nakajima Y et al [21]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Hugh-Jones score improved by at least 1 point in 21 patients (95%).   ECOG performance scale improved by al least 1 point in 17 patients (77%).     Not mentioned Survival after stent placement was from 2 to 32 weeks with a mean of 15 weeks.       Technical success rate: In all the 22 patients (100%). Migration: 4 presenting lethal hemoptysis. Retained secretions/mucoid impaction: 4.     Stent fracture: 2        
15 Oki M et al [22]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned The survival time was significantly longer in patients who received chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy after the procedure (234 vs 37 days, respectively; p <0.001) and in chemoradiotherapy-naive patients (234 vs. 40 days, respectively;  p <0.001). The median survival duration after stenting at the time of analysis was 198 days (range, 13–3,009 days).   Not mentioned Extubation within 48 hours after stenting could be performed in 28 of 30 patients (93%). 2 patients underwent tracheostomy due to retained secretions. Granulation tissue formation in 1 patient.   Pneumonia/infection in 1 patient.   Additional chemo and/or radiotherapy in 21 patients (70%).  
16 Özdemir C et al [23]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Respiratory insufficiency requiring noninvasive ventilation: 2. Minimal to moderate hemorrhage: 6. Retained secretions/mucoid impaction: 3. 
17. Razi SS et al [24]. Not mentioned Not mentioned The mean preoperative MRC dyspnea scale score of 4.40 significantly improved to 3.29 postoperatively. Mean preoperative ECOG performance status score of 3.36 significantly improved to 2.32 postoperatively.     Not mentioned Improved survival (p   0.05) in patients with intermediate performance status, with a median survival of approximately 8 months. A significantly lower survival rate (3-month median survival) was observed in patients with a high preoperative MRC dyspnea score of 5 (hazard ratio 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.84) as well as in patients with high preoperative ECOG performance status score of 4 (hazard ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 0.70). The overall mean survival was 128 ±15 days, with a median survival of 117 days. The overall 3-month and 6- month survival was 60% and 40%, respectively.   Performance status improved in 45 patients (90%). Significant improvement in performance status was observed in both poor and intermediate performance groups (p, 0.05). During the follow-up period, 10 patients (20%) underwent bronchoscopy evaluation with or without intervention due to the following reasons: Mucus plugging, stent migration, and for evaluation of disease progression seen on computed tomographic scan with planned intervention at the same time.  
18. Righini C et al [25]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Median survival time of these patients was 3.7 months. Duration of follow-up ranged between 1 and 1067 days, with a median of 35 days.   There was a decrease in the level of respiratory support after stent placement but this was not significant (p = 0.06). Breathing room air/number of patients: 48 before and 53 after stent placement. Oxygen therapy by nasal canula or mask/number of patients: 18 before and 15 after stent placement. Noninvasive ventilation/number of patients: 1 before and 1 after stent placement.   Invasive ventilation/number of patients: 1 before and 0 after stent placement. Infection: 2. Granulation tissue: 1. Migration: 2. Stent fracture: 2.      
19. Saji H et al [26]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned 25.2% of one-year survival rate and 6.2 months of median survival time. Not mentioned Mortality: 5. Pneumothorax: 3. Severe mucus: 6. Idiopathic pneumothorax: 3. Idiopathic pyothorax: 2. Esophageal stenosis: 2. Acute pulmonary distress: 2.    
20. Tayama K et al [27]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned   The mean follow-up was 2.5 years (with follow-up ranging from 140 to 1610 days).   The patients with extraluminal compression all exhibited marked improvement in their respiratory symptoms after stenting. The patients with an intraluminal obstruction in whom the tumor reduced the lumen by < 50% of the endoluminal diameter also benefited from stenting. In the patients with an intraluminal obstruction or in whom the tumor reduced the lumen by > 50% of the endoluminal diameter, only a slight improvement was observed after stenting. Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth: 8. Bleeding: 9.     
21. Verma A et al [28]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Number of deaths: Laser only: 21 (58.3%). UFS only: 25 (83.3%). Both Laser and UFS: 5 (83.3%). Survival (months), median (range): Laser only: 12.4 (0.32-76.4) UFS only: 4.6 (0.32-52.1). Both Laser and UFS: 5.9 (0.99-56.2). Survival in trachea and main bronchi group (months), median (range): Laser only: 12 (0.32-76.4) UFS only: 4.6 (0.32-52.1). Both Laser and UFS: 5.9 (0.99-56.2). Survival in lobar bronchi group (months), median (range): Laser only: 45.6 (4.8-67.2).. Survival in patients requiring single rigid bronchoscopy (months), median (range): Laser only: 11.2 (0.32-76.4) UFS only 3.9 (0.32-52.1). Both Laser and UFS: 4.8 (0.99-8.8). Survival in patients requiring multiple rigid Bronchoscopy (months), median (range): Laser only: 27.5 (4.2-64.5) UFS only: 6.3 (0.52-19.5). Both Laser and UFS: 56.3. Survival in patients with definitive treatment (months), median (range): Laser only: 12 (4.2-62.1) UFS only: 9.9 (1.2-42.3). Both Laser and UFS: 8 (0.99-56.3). 30-day mortality/number of patients: Laser only: 3 (8.3%) UFS only: 4 (13.3%) Both Laser and UFS: 1 (16.6%). 1 year mortality/number of patients: Laser only: 14 (38.9%) UFS only: 21 (70%) Both Laser and UFS: 5 (83.4%).                                     Not mentioned Any complication: Laser only: 7 (19.4%).. UFS only: 7 (23.3%). Both Laser and UFS: 0 (0%). Escalation of level of care: Laser only: 6 (16.6%). UFS only: 6 (20%). Both Laser and UFS: 0 (0%). Escalation of level of care to ICU: Laser only: 4 (11.1%). UFS only: 1 (3.3%). Both Laser and UFS: 0 (0%).     30-day mortality: Laser only: 3 (8.3%). UFS only: 4 (13.3%). Both Laser and UFS: 0 (0%). Significant bleeding: Laser only: 2 (5.5%). UFS only: 0 (0%). Both Laser and UFS: 0 (0%).     Unexpected respiratory failure in 24 hours: Laser only: 1 (2.7%). UFS only: 1 (3.3%). Both Laser and UFS: 0 (0%).     Complication requiring CPR: Laser only: 2 (5.5%). UFS only: 0 (0%). Both Laser and UFS: 0 (0%).              
22. Wilson GE et al [29]. Not mentioned FEV1 in liters (Mean ± SD) = 1.38 (0.57) (p, 0.001). FVC in liters (Mean ± SD) = 2.15 (0.76) (p, <0.05). PEF rate (liter/min) (mean ± SD) = 158 (14) (p, <0.05).       MRC (Mean ± SD) = 4 ± 1. Karnofsky (Mean ± SD) = 51.8 ± 21.4. Visual analogue score, breathing (Mean ± SD) = 63 ± 22. Visual analogue score, walking (Mean ± SD) = 65 ± 25.     pH (Mean ± SD) = 7.37 ± 0.43 (results non-significant).   PaO2 (Mean ± SD) = 10.24 ± 3.14 (p, <0.05).    PaCO2 (Mean ± SD) = 5.4 ± 1.2 (results non-significant). The median length of hospital stay was five days (range 1-24 days) Of the 56 patients stented, five were alive after a mean of 207 days (range 135-274) and 51 died with a mean survival of 77 days (range 1-477).   Not mentioned Infections: 1. Mortality: 4.
23. Yerushalmi R et al [30]. Not mentioned Six patients (18%) had pulmonary function both before and after stent insertion, and all showed an improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (5-35%) and forced vital capacity (5-15%).   Degree of dyspnea Improved. Not mentioned Median Survival: 6 months (range 0.25-105 months). Not mentioned Stent obstruction due to tumor overgrowth: 3.  
24. Zwischenberger JB et al [31]. All patients had successful stent deployment with initial relief of airway stenosis (>75% predicted diameter). Not mentioned Stent placement improved the dyspnea score in 7. patients (50%), with symptoms unchanged in the remainder. Upon follow up questioning, at the time of perceived maximum benefit, 6 patients felt they had achieved significant improvement in functional status. Of the 9 patients surviving greater than 2 months, the Karnofsky score improved in 4 and was unchanged in 5. Not mentioned Total length of stay ranged from 3 to 22 days (average, 10.2 days). 10 of the patients were deceased at 8-month follow up. Five patients died in less than 2 months. All 4 patients with stage IV disease died within 2 months of the procedure. Of those who died, 5 were able to return home before death, 4 never left the hospital or required early readmission, and 1 died at a nursing care facility.       Not mentioned Problems identified in individuals before death included a tracheoesophageal fistula, ipsilateral pneumothorax, tracheostomy, and atrial fibrillation.
25. Akram MJ et al [32]. Not mentioned Not mentioned Not mentioned Partial pressure arterial oxygen:   Mean difference ± SE: -18.16 ± 2.50. There was a statistically significant mean difference in pre- and post-procedure partial pressure arterial oxygen (Mean = 72.3, SD = 12.3 vs Mean = 90.5, SD = 15.1, p = 0.001).         The overall median (SD) survival time was 16 (3.44).   The median (SD) survival time was highest in intrinsic compression of the airway [27.00 (6.51) weeks] compared to that in extrinsic compression and trachea-esophageal fistula [16.00 (9.12) and 8.00 (2.34)] weeks, respectively.   Patients who received pre- and post-procedure chemotherapy and radiotherapy had a better median (SD) survival [28.00 (12.11) versus 11.00 (2.15)], p-value <0.04. Oxygen saturation: Mean difference ± SE: -5.72 ± 0.99. There was a statistically significant mean difference in pre- and post-procedure oxygen saturation (Mean = 89.8, SD = 6.7 vs Mean = 95.5, SD = 2.54, p = 0.001).   White blood cell count:   Mean difference ± SE: 0.86 ± 0.63.   Performance status:   Mean difference ± SE: 1.06 ± 0.10. There was a statistically significant difference in pre- and post-procedure performance status (Mean = 3.65, SD = 0.6 vs Mean = 2.59, SD = 0.83, p = 0.001). Serum albumin: Mean difference ± SE: -0.35 ± 0.11. Hemoglobin: Mean difference ± SE: -0.45 ± 0.20. 29 (56.9%) patients had symptomatic improvement.       No complications: 29 (56.9). Acute Pneumothorax: 1 (2.0%). Mucous plugging: 2 (3.9%). Stent obstruction: 4 (7.8%). Recurrent Pneumonia: 5 (9.8).   Stent migration: 8 (15.7). Acute respiratory distress: 2 (3.9).    
26. Bolliger CT et al [33]. Not mentioned 1 month after stent placement: FEV1 in liters (Mean ± SD) of 20 patients =   1.9 ± 0.6. FVC in liters (Mean ± SD) of 20 patients = 2.8 ± 0.7. 3 months after stent placement: FEV1 in liters (Mean ± SD) of 20 patients = 1.5 ± 0.5. FVC in liters (Mean ± SD) of 20 patients = 2.5 ± 1.0.     1 month after stent placement: Dyspnea index (Mean ± SD) of 20 patients: 1.5 ± 0.8. WHO activity index of 20 patients (Mean ± SD): 1.5 ± 0.9. Karnofsky scale of 20 patients (Mean ± SD): 72 ± 18. 3 months after stent placement:   Dyspnea index (Mean ± SD) of 20 patients: 1.9 ± 1.2. WHO activity index of 20 patients (Mean ± SD): 1.6 ± 1.0. Karnofsky scale of 20 patients (Mean ± SD): 71 ± 21.           Not mentioned Patients had a mean follow-up of 4.3 months (range 2 days to 23 months). At the time of writing 23 patients had died. 25 patients had far advanced intrathoracic malignancies with a poor overall prognosis (stages IIIB and IV). This is reflected by the sharp decrease of the initial 26 patients evaluable at follow-up visits: 20 at one month and only 9 at three months. Not mentioned Migration: 1. Tenacious secretions leading to tracheal stent obstruction: 4.
27. Chhajed PN et al [34]. Not mentioned Values given as out of 87 patients whose spirometry was available:   FEV1 in liters (median with range) = 62% (50 to 76%). FVC in liters (median with range) = 69% (57 to 81%). Not mentioned Not mentioned Median (months) with range survival values: Stent only = 2.7 (1.4-4). Laser and Stent combined = 3.0 (2-4) Laser only = 10.4 (4.9-16). % of patients surviving at 3 months: Stent only = 46. Laser and stent = 48. Laser only = 73.. % of patients surviving at 6 months: Stent only = 31. Laser and stent = 31. Laser only = 58. Not mentioned Infection: 1. Granulation tissue: 3. Mortality: 3 patients died within 24 hours after who developed infection, pericardial effusion and respiratory failure. Migration: 5. Mucus Plugging: 8. Stent restenosis: 21. Pericardial effusion: 1. Respiratory failure: 1. Esophago-tracheal fistula: 1 . Ventricular arrhythmias: 1. Severe cough: 1. Acute laryngospasm: 1.