Prosthetic reconstruction of the trachea in rabbit.
BACKGROUND
Various tracheal reconstruction techniques have been developed for stenosis. Different types of grafts, flaps and synthetic materials have been used for reconstruction of the defect when primary anastomosis was unsuccessful or not indicated. The mentioned reconstruction methods have limited success. Polytetrafluoro-ethylene (PTFE) prosthesis is a microporous polymer and has been applied for implantation on a wide range. It is also appropriate for tracheal reconstruction.


METHODS
In the present study, segmental defects were created in 12 New Zealand rabbits. The rabbits were divided into 2 subgroups; the first group was applied an end-to-end anastomosis whilst the second a PTFE prosthesis. After 2 months, these applications were compared clinically, endoscopically and histopathologically to each other.


RESULTS
Necrosis and extrusion were not observed in the rabbits with PTFE applications. After 1 month, the tracheal stenosis was found on endoscopic examination in 5 animals in the first group and 2 animals in the second group. While in longer defects, end-to-end anastomosis causes tracheal tension, PTFE applications have been well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that PTFE prosthesis is a suitable alternative method in reconstruction of circumferential tracheal defects.
Abdülcemal Işik
U
U
Department of Otolaryngology, Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey. uisik@ktu.edu.tr
Seren
E
E
Kaklikkaya
I
I
Bektaş
D
D
Imamoğlu
M
M
Muhtar
H
H
Civelek
S
S
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D004724:Endoscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene