Cryorecanalization after cryosurgery for immediate treatment on central airway obstruction via flexible bronchoscope

• Published in: The Chinese-German journal of clinical oncology Vol. 11; no. 8; pp. 452 - 455
• Main Authors: Li, Yongqun, Feng, Huasong, Nie, Zhoushan, Meng, Jiguang, Ding, Xinmin, Han, Zhihai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.08.2012; Respiratory Department of Navy General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China
• Subjects: Cancer Research; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Surgical Oncology; central airway obstruction; cryosurgery; cryorecanalization; bronchoscope
• ISSN: 1610-1979; 1613-9089
• DOI: 10.1007/s10330-012-1025-6

Objective: In order to achieve immediate relief of central airway obstruction caused by malignant tumor after interventional therapy, we observed the efficacy and safety of cryorecanalization after cryosurgery via flexible bronchoscope. Methods: A total of 64 cases of patients in all suffered from central airway obstruction were observed and treated by applying cryorecanalization after cryosurgery via flexible bronchoscope. Divide the operation into two steps, including cryosurgery and cryorecanalization. Evaluate the therapeutic effect immediately after the treatment, wherein the evaluating indicator includes preoperative and postoperative dyspnea indexes, quality of life score, bronchoscopy, etc. The surgical safety assessment is mainly by observing the risk of bleeding in the surgery. Results: Forty cases (62.5%) has postoperative dyspnea score improved at least one level compared with preoperative dyspnea score, 24 patients (37.5%) have no significant improvement on dyspnea score. Quality of life score (Karnofsky score): preoperative 52 ± 18.7 points, postoperative 70 ± 9.2 points. Bronchoscopy review: complete success in 12 cases (18.8%), partial success in 45 cases (70.3%), no success in 7 cases (12%).89.1% overall clinical efficiency was achieved. In the surgery, the control to bleeding was satisfactory since no severe bleeding, moderate bleeding in 14 cases (21.9%) and mild bleeding in 50 cases (78.1%) were found as well as rigid bronchoscope was free. Conclusion: The central airway obstruction can be immediately relieved by cryorecanalization after cryosurgery via flexible bronchoscope with satisfactory effects and higher surgical safety.