18th January 2021 10:03 am 18th January 2021 10:03 am Bioengineers have shown that a biodegradable magnesium-alloy tracheal stent can successfully help children with paediatric laryngotracheal stenosis – LTS – to breath more easily. Researchers demonstrate for the first time the successful use of a completely biodegradable magnesium-alloy tracheal stent, pictured, that safely degrades over the course of eight weeks and does not require removal (Image: Materialise) LTS is a narrowing of the airway in children that can result in a life-threatening emergency if untreated. Depending on the severity of LTS, doctors will use a combination of endoscopic techniques, surgical repair, tracheostomy, or deployment of stents to hold the airway open and enable breathing.