Thermoablative Techniques for Excessive Central Airway Collapse

Background: Tracheobronchoplasty is the definitive treatment for patients with symptomatic excessive central airway collapse. This procedure is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Bronchoscopic techniques are an appealing alternative with less morbidity and the ability to apply it in nonsurgical patients. Although thermoablative methods have been proposed as treatment options to induce fibrosis of the posterior tracheobronchial...