Experimental study of replacing circumferential tracheal defects with new prosthesis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of using a new tracheal prosthesis made of biomaterials to replace extensive circumferential tracheal defects.


METHODS
Three types of tracheal prostheses were developed and studied. Type I prosthesis was used in 8 mongrel dogs (group A), type II in 4 dogs (group B), and type III in 4 dogs (group C).


RESULTS
In group A, one died from prosthetic dehiscence, another from anastomotic leakage, and the others had uneventful postoperative courses. The implanted prosthesis was completely incorporated with the recipient trachea, where different lengths of reepithelialization occurred on the luminal surface of the reconstructed trachea. Macroscopic examination showed scattered and different sizes of neo-ossification surrounding the implanted prosthesis. The prosthesis was radioopaque when exposed to routine x rays. In contrast, a relatively high number of complications occurred postoperatively in groups B and C.


CONCLUSIONS
Type I tracheal prosthesis, with further improvements, may be the optimal tracheal graft to replace circumferential tracheal defects, and appears very promising for clinical application.
Shi
Hongcan
H
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. shcan111@yahoo.com.cn
Xu
Zhifei
Z
Qin
Xiong
X
Zhao
Xuewei
X
Lu
Dan
D
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D019344:Lactic Acid; D016348:Osseointegration; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011140:Polyurethanes; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011140:Polyurethanes; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid