Results
Among the four cases, ages ranging from 8 to 17(Table 1), airway stent
implantation was a commonality. Notably, the patients exhibited
significant improvements in R5-R20 post-stent intervention (-0.37 ±
0.21kPaA/L/s, P=0.04), experiencing relief in respiratory symptoms and
enhanced airway diameters, affirmed by bronchoscopy and chest X-ray
findings. All subjects met criteria for severe obstructive lung disease,
supported by their positive bronchodilator response in impulse
oscillometry. An immediate spike in airway dimensions, validated through
images, underscored the positive impact of stent implantation. Following
the procedure, patients were treated with inhaled long-acting beta-2
agonists and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS-LABA). Our study demonstrated
that airway stent implantation improved small airway functions of
patients with congenital airway anomalies. In the meantime, we also
showed feasibilty of using impulse oscillometry for assess respiratory
function after stent implantation.