3D Printing and Airway Stents

Abstract

A central goal of an airway stent is to restore patency by preventing restenosis, holding the tracheobronchial wall, or occluding fistulas. Complications with stents, however, are frequent and can have grave repercussions. Stents are therefore viewed as a last resort in cases where other forms of treatment are ineffective. Furthermore, it is common for people with complex airways to have airway stents that do not fit them well, which can result in several complications. Three-dimensional printing technology was developed at the turn of the 20th century. It has been employed in a variety of applications and has transformed healthcare. This technology has mainly been employed in respiratory medicine to develop three-dimensional models of the airways and to make airway splints and prostheses to treat central airway diseases. In the past ten years, it has transformed and advanced personalized medicine, enabling the creation of patient-specific stents for people with complex airway diseases. Three-dimensional printing might be used to create a patient-specific stent that would lessen risks, enhance the quality of life, and eliminate the need for additional procedures. This chapter discusses the most recent developments in three-dimensional printing technology, how they are being used to create airway prostheses to treat complex airway illnesses and the current body of research that supports their use.