Intraluminal use of dual nitinol stent for complete collapse of trachea in a Maltese: case report

Canine patient, Maltese breed, female gender, castrated, 4 years old and 5 Kg of weight. The main reason for consultation was cough and severe respiratory distress. During the clinical evaluation, the patient presented cyanosis, severe inspiratory and expiratory stridor, squawking cough, especially after emotional stimulation. A bronchoscopy was performed that revealed a dynamic decrease in the diameter of the tracheal lumen, a severe collapse in the cervical and thoracic portions. Due to the severity of the tracheal collapse, the implantation of a nitinol stent was decided. The choice of stent is essential and therefore it was necessary to perform a measurement of the diameter and length of the trachea to minimize side effects and rejections. The trachea presented diameter variability at the thoracic level, which is why it was decided to use a dual stent, which was placed by direct observation through a pediatric bronchoscope. We present a case in which a dual stent was used, indicated in cases in which the diameter of the trachea varies along its path. Excellent results were obtained since it was adjusted to the different diameters that the trachea presented at the cervical and thoracic levels.