OBJECTIVETo study the value of high-frequency electrocautery combined with high-pressure balloon expansion in the treatment of benign airway obstruction.

METHODSTwelve patients with complete airway obstruction received treatment with high-frequency electrocautery and high-pressure balloon expansion, and 6 months of follow-up was performed.

RESULTSAfter the initial treatment, the rate of airway obstruction relief exceeded 50% in 8 patients, who showed lung recruitment and an increased dyspnea index, suggesting total effectiveness; one patient showed mild improvement with airway stenosis relief by less than 50% (the upper-left lobe remained obstructed). Stents were implanted eventually in 7 patients for airway maintenance. Two patients showed relief of the airway obstruction by over 50% after the initial treatment, but lung recruitment or dyspnea relief failed to be achieved, suggesting non-response to the treatment. The airway failed to be found in 1 case (who received 5 previous operations of ablation and dilatation), which was considered a non-response case.

CONCLUSIONHigh-frequency electrocautery combined with high pressure balloon expansion is clinically effective with few complications in some cases of benign complete airway stenosis. The possibility of airway stenosis and even obstruction should be considered in patients with tuberculosis during the treatment.