High doses of hydrocortisone improved tracheal autograft revascularization.
OBJECTIVE
Anti-inflammatory effects of steroid to revascularization of the tracheal autografts in pigs, with the use of pedicled muscle flaps of the abdominal rectus was evaluated.


METHODS
The research was done on 19 pigs. First group: eight pigs, no steroids were given. Second group: 11 pigs, a daily dose of 30 mg/kg hydrocortisone was given, starting on the day of operation. A segment of trachea ten rings long was skeletonized and excised, and reimplanted in the previous position. A muscle flap was sutured on the anterior aspect of the tracheal autograft.


RESULTS
All eight animals in the first group died from graft failure. In the second group receiving steroids, only two animals succumbed (18.1%). Nine animals recovered, and were put to sleep 30-42 days following surgery. The average diameter of the grafts was 85%. Microscopically, all structures of the trachea were preserved. Grafts perfusion was on average 80.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Two conditions have to be fulfilled for tracheal autografts to survive: One, well vascularising muscular flaps have to be employed, and second, a high dose of steroids must be given starting on the day of operation.
Jadczuk
E
E
Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013552:Swine; D014132:Trachea / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006854:Hydrocortisone