Clinical efficacy of different combined interventions in treatment of patients with malignant severe central airway stenosis

Objective To evaluate the value of bronchoscope-guaided different combined interventions in the treatment of patients with malignant severe central airway stenosis.Methods A total of 48 patients with malignant severe central airway stenosis were selected and divided into group A treated with combined interventions including high-frequency electrotome + argon plasma coagulation (APC) + freezing (n =31),while another 17 with combined interventions including high-frequency electrotome + APC + freezing + tracheal stent implantation were designed as group B.The response rate (RR) after initial interventional treatment and the middle-and short-term clinical efficacy after 6-month follow up were observed,and corresponding complications and adverse events were recorded.Results The RR of all patients was 100％,in which group B was significantly better in the increase of airway diameter and increase rate of cross sectional area (CSA) (P ＜ 0.05),but was significantly lower in polypnea index than group A (P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between two groups in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in the expected value (FEV1％)(P ＞0.05).During 6-month follow-up,there were significant differences in the average monthly interventional therapeutic frequency and average remission period between two groups (P ＜0.05).No patients had complications immediately after interventional process.During the 6-month follow-up,4 8 patients had different-degree chest pain,hemoptysis and retention of secretes.Conclusion Bronchoscope-guided different combined interventions have excellent efficacy in the treatment of patients with malignant severe central airway stenosis.