Table 3. Characteristics of patients who required removal of lower airway stents.

Primary diagnosis, N=24	Mean duration of deployed stent (months)	Indication for removal (all via rigid bronchoscopy)
Tuberculosis, 10	18	No longer needed, 7
		Stent (metallic) granulomas, 3
Post-transplant anastomotic site stenosis, 1	8	Stent (metallic) granulomas, 1
Post intubation stenosis, 3	14	No longer needed, 3
Malignant tumors, 7	5	No longer needed, 4 (2 had surgery, 2 responded to chemotherapy)
		Stent migration, 3
Bronchopleural fistula, 1	6	No longer needed, 1
Tracheobronchomalacia, 2	11	Stent (silicone) granulomas, 2