title: [Experimental reconstruction of extensive anterior defect of rabbit trachea with the use of free auricular cartilage].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether free auricular cartilage grafts can be used to reconstruct the extensive anterior defect of rabbit trachea and observe the difference between autograft and allograft.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into autograft group (n = 10) and allograft group (n = 10). All grafts were taken from the right auricle, and defect included 8 to 10 rings of trachea. The gross morphorlogical features, endoscopic examinations, biomechanic determinations and histological findings of grafts were assessed at 1,2,4,8 and 12 weeks after operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen rabbits survived. Mild tracheal stenosis was observed under endoscope. The maximum stress per mm at 0,4,8 and 12 weeks was 2.54 +/- 0.19, 1.31 +/- 0.21, 1.72 +/- 0.22 and 1.96 +/- 0.08 kPa/mm, respectively. Histological analysis revealed that the viable chondrocytes and neochondrocytes at 12 weeks accounted for 62.0% +/- 3.45%, 65.89% +/- 48% in the autograft group and 60.1% +/- 3.98%, 55.20% +/- 7.57% in the allograft group. No marked immunological differences between the auto- and allograft groups were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Free auricular cartilage can be used to reconstruct the extensive anterior defect of trachea in both auto- and allo-transplantations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear Nose Throat, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Ruilin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chuanyu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Tingwu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Xiuqun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D004431:Ear, External; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*