Gross and histologic changes in the developing rabbit subglottis in response to a controlled depth of injury.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to determine the effects of both perichondrial and intracartilaginous injury in the developing rabbit subglottis versus normal development.


METHODS
We conducted a descriptive, pilot study of changes in the shape and histology of the subglottis after a controlled depth of injury in 27 New Zealand White rabbits, ages 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 1(1/2) years.


METHODS
Within each age group, 3 animals underwent no surgery, 3 underwent perichondrial injury, and 3 underwent intracartilaginous injury.


RESULTS
Perichondrially injured animals in the 4-week age group developed a marked abnormality in the shape of the cricoid cartilage in the injured region. Cartilage of the perichondriallly injured animals in the 8-week and 1(1/2)-year groups became histologically consistent with fibrous tissue. The cartilage of all animals that underwent intracartilaginous injury was replaced with fibrous tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
In this observational study, we identified 3 relevant findings. First, the responses of the cartilage to a perichondrial injury suggest that the luminal soft tissues may exert some morphologic control in developmentally young animals. Second, only the 4-week-old group's cartilage was tolerant of a perichondrial injury with continued growth of the ring. Third, no animal's cartilage could withstand an intracartilaginous injury regardless of age.
Mankarious
Leila A
LA
Department of Otology and Laryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston 02114, USA. leila.mankarious@meei.harvard.edu
Cherukupally
Shilpa R
SR
Adams
Allison B
AB
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000473:pathology; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000254:growth & development / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005931:Glottis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011817:Rabbits; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices