Rabbit model of airway stenosis induced by scraping of the tracheal mucosa.
BACKGROUND
Prolonged endotracheal intubation in children often induces intractable airway stenosis. The aim of the present study was to establish a new model of airway stenosis for developing an effective method of treatment.


METHODS
The rabbit trachea was annularly incised, and the tracheal mucosa was scraped with a nylon brush. The trachea was then closed. Nine days after scraping, the trachea was microscopically examined.


RESULTS
All of the examined rabbits showed tracheal stenosis, ranging from 22% to 82% in diameter and from 48% to 97% in cross-sectional area. The stenotic lesion was confined within the scraped region, not including the sutured region. Histologic examination showed inflammation in the stenotic lesion with submucosal hyperplasia caused by proliferation of fibroblasts and thickening of collagen fibers.


CONCLUSIONS
This method can be easily carried out and assures induction of airway stenosis. This model may be useful for developing methods for treating airway stenosis in the early stage.
Nakagishi
Yoshinori
Y
Department of Medical Engineering, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan. grd1708@ndmc.ac.jp
Morimoto
Yuji
Y
Fujita
Masanori
M
Ozeki
Yuichi
Y
Maehara
Tadaaki
T
Kikuchi
Makoto
M
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology*