Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the classification, features of artificial tracheal materials and application of tracheal stent in treating tracheal or bronchial stenosis, as well as the disposals for related complications.
METHODS: The databases of PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/PubMed) and CNKI (www.cnki.net/index.htm) were searched by the first author using search words of “artificial trachea, tracheal stent” both in English and Chinese. Articles about classification, materials selection, as well as the application outcomes were involved, in the same field, papers published in authoritative articles during the last three years were selected preferentially, totally 10 documents were included in this study.
RESULTS: The high molecular polymer trachea possessed biotype composite structures, which combined the merits of previous artificial trachea and exhibited advantages in preventing prosthesis slippage, displacement, air leakage, as well as bare or collapse. The net structure of nick-eltitanium alloy stent allowed the axial and coronary movement of metal wire which is suitable for irregular or scraggy surfaces, thus, it was widely used in treating benign or malignant tracheobronchial stenosis.
CONCLUSION: With the development of tissue engineering, some progressive achievements, such as application of seed cells and tracheal epithelial cells in constructing tissue engineered trachea, have been obtained. However, whether these tissue engineered trachea can maintain its activity and plays normal physiologic function in vivo still needs to be explored.