Tracheal transplantation: superior and inferior thyroid artery perfusion territory.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the perfusion territories of the superior and inferior thyroid arteries in humans. Tracheal transplantation is a potential option for management of long-segment tracheal stenosis. However, the maximum length of vascularized trachea that can be reliably transplanted has not been established.


METHODS
The tracheal vascular territory of individual superior and inferior thyroid arteries was determined separately in 10 humans postmortem.


METHODS
India ink was infused unilaterally under controlled pressure into the superior (n = 5) and inferior (n = 5) thyroid arteries of cadaveric tracheas. Tracheas were sectioned longitudinally and the caudalmost extent of mucosal dye staining was determined via microscopic assessment.


RESULTS
The tracheal perfusion territory of the superior thyroid artery was two to five rings (1.7 +/- 0.5 cm) and the inferior thyroid artery, nine to 13 rings (6.5 +/- 1.1 cm). In both cases, the tracheal mucosa on the contralateral side was stained to the same caudal level.


CONCLUSIONS
The inferior thyroid artery was shown to perfuse the trachea maximally to the 13th ring (8.1 cm). As such, the unilateral inferior thyroid artery would serve as a suitable vascular component for long-segment tracheal transplantation in humans.
Salmeron
J
J
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Gannon
P J
PJ
Blackwell
K E
KE
Shaari
C M
CM
Urken
M L
ML
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000098:blood supply*; D014132:Trachea / Q000637:transplantation*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*