Biofilm Formation in a Permanent Tracheal Stent Implanted for Twenty-Five Years

intermittent systemic antibiotic treatments to prevent and treat pulmonary infections, severe bronchiectasis with lung function decline occurred (FEV1, 1.37 liter; 35% predicted), and the patient was referred for lung transplant evaluation. To decrease the frequency of pulmonary infections, the stent was finally replaced at the age of 42 after the patient had refused replacement sevAt the age of 3, our patient required a tracheostomy (metal cannula) after a tracheal injury following accidental aspiration of sulfuric acid, leading to central airway stenosis. At the age of 16, recurrent pulmonary infections led to the insertion of a tracheal silicone stent (Montgomery T-tube). Despite daily doses of inhaled antibiotics (colistin and tobramycin), airway clearance suctioning, and Published online: September 10, 2015