title: Tracheal reconstruction using a free jejunal flap with cartilage skeleton: experimental study.
abstract: An experimental study was undertaken to evaluate the behavior of an autologous microvascularjejunal transfer with a cartilage skeleton for major tracheal reconstruction in the goat model. A 15-cm segment of the cervical trachea was replaced by a free microvascularjejunal transfer with costal cartilage skeleton as a single-stage procedure. The flap was stented for 4 weeks with an endotracheal T-tube. Bronchoscopy was done to the survivors at 6 months. The perioperative mortality rate was 40 percent, with 30 percent of the animals surviving the 30-week follow-up period. Bronchoscopy showed a smooth and appropriate lumen. Histology showed hyaline cartilage integrated within the jejunal wall and normal jejunal mucosa. The reconstruction of a large circumferential tracheal defect with a free jejunal transfer with cartilaginous skeleton remained stable, without undue mucous secretion, and the surviving animals remained asymptomatic for the follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Research Center at the La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Cavadas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats; D007583:Jejunum; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012272:Ribs; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*