Experimental reconstruction of the trachea with autogenous materials.
Composite intercostal muscle flaps were experimentally used to repair major intrathoracic tracheal defects in the mongrel dog. These composite flaps provided an adequate tracheal lumen with both sufficient mobility and structural stability. Stenosis of the reconstructed trachea was an uncommon finding, but the incidence of early postoperative mortality was high.
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000637:transplantation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality