Surveillance bronchoscopy is usually not necessary in asymptomatic patients with malignant airway disease.

Laser resection can be repeated in these patients as often as needed in order to treat recurrent symptoms.

However, follow-up with serial CT scans can occasionally provide useful information as seen in this patient who underwent stent placement for a thyroid tumor (notice the position of the stent studs).

Patients with benign disease, on the other hand, require routine surveillance bronchoscopy, especially those treated for tracheal stenosis.