Tracheal stents are often used to maintain the patency of the trachea and bronchia in patients suffering from central airway lesions. Metallic tracheal stents are now widely used in the clinical setting, but these types of stents can cause many intractable material-related complications. Biodegradable tracheal stents are made of biodegradable polymer materials with good mechanical strength for maintaining the patency of the lesion segment during a certain period of time, and then they can be gradually degraded into harmless products in human body. Compared with conventional metallic tracheal stent, biodegradable tracheal stents have a good prospect in clinic. In this article, we review the choice of biodegradable tracheal stent materials, experimental progress in biodegradable tracheal stent as well as the challenges we are facing.
Abstract： As the most common blunt thoracic injury, lung contusion may develop into acute lung injury, adult respiratory distress syndrome or ventilation associated pneumonia, which can cause a high mortality. However, the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of lung contusion is not well understood yet. Stress is laid by many researchers on inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of lung contusion. We review the potential role of inflammatory response in the pathogenesis and pathophysiological changes of lung contusion. Emphasis is put on studies of inflammatory cells, mediators, receptors, surfactant dysfunction, and the potential role of epithelial cell or neutrophil apoptosis. The animal models are essential to the study of lung contusion and the studies examining secondary injuries exacerbating lung contusion are also noted.
Abstract： Objective To analyze possible associated risk factors of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) after lung resection in order to decrease the incidence and mortality of PPC. Methods We reviewed the data of 302 patients including 228 males and 74 females undergoing lung resection from January 2007 to December 2009 in our department. The age of the patients ranged from 23 to 91 years old with an average age of 63.38 years. Based on the present definition of PPC, we recorded the related information and data before, during and after the operation, and observed the rate of PPC. The independent risk factors of PPC were evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 22 patients (7.28%) died during the operation and 75 patients (24.83%) experienced 110 times of PPC, the majority of which were prolonged air leak/bronchopleural fistula (8.94%, 27/302), nosocomial pneumonia (6.95%, 21/302) and acute respiratory failure (6.29%, 19/302). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score ≥3 (OR=2.400，P=0.020) and prolonged duration of immediate postoperative mechanical ventilation (OR=1.620，P=0.030) were independent factors associated with the development of PPC.Conclusions The ASA score based on the patients’ general condition and the function status of the main organs, and the prolonged duration of immediate postoperative mechanical ventilation are independent risk factors of PPC. In order to decrease the PPC rate, more attention should be paid to perfecting preoperative preparation, improving the function and condition of the organs, preserving pulmonary function and decreasing the duration of immediate postoperative mechanical ventilation for patients with high risk factors.