A central airway stent removal device for use under direct visual observation with a flexible or ridged. The device includes an elongated shaft defining a central lumen configured to receive the endoscope and a hook mechanism attached to a distal end of the elongated shaft. The hook mechanism including a receiving platform extending away from the elongated shaft and a hook element at the distal end of the hook mechanism, the hook element defining a receiving slot having an entrance that opens towards the elongated shaft, in which the receiving slot is configured to receive an end of a stent intended to be removed from a body of a patient.
