Different outcome of short-term self-expandable metallic stents placement and balloon dilatation for treated benign tracheobronchial stenosis.

<bold>Purpose:</bold> Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) have enabled an approving management of malignant airway stenosis. However, benign tracheobronchial stenosis (BTBS) usually did not used the SEMS due to more complication. Balloon dilatation usually the first treatment choice but frequent recurrent is still the problem. Herin, we conducted this study to retrospectively determine the efficacy and safety between short-term SEMS placement and balloon dilatation for treated BTBS. <bold>Methods:</bold> There were 46 BTBS patients treated with SEMSs or balloon dilatation in China Medical University Hospital from Aug 2019 to Dec 2023 and were reviewed for outcome and complications. <bold>Results:</bold> Mean age was 69.1 years-old. The most common cause of BTBS was post intubation (n=23) and TB (n=15). 20 of them treated with balloon dilatation and 9 patients demonstrated clinical improvement without recurrent stenosis after 3 months follow-up. 26 patients were treated with SEMS placement followed by balloon dilatation and 22 patients demonstrated clinical improvement without recurrent stenosis after 3 months follow-up (45% vs 84.6 %, p value =0.001). 23 patients (88.5%) was successfdully removed by flexible bronchoscopy with forcerps. One patient suffered trachea laceration after balloon dilatation. Five patients suffered from stent infection after 3 months placement. There was no mortality after these procedure. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> The use of short term SEMSs after balloon dilatation for BTBS was effective and safe for the majority of benign tracheobronchial stenosis patients.