In situ tissue engineering of the cricoid and trachea in a canine model.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current study was to demonstrate the efficacy of in situ tissue engineering of the cricoid and trachea in a canine model.


METHODS
Marlex mesh tube reinforced with polypropylene threads and covered by collagen sponge was used as a tissue scaffold for airway regeneration in 9 beagle dogs. The anterior half of the cricoid cartilage was resected in 5 dogs, whereas the cricoid cartilage and cervical trachea were simultaneously resected in 4 dogs. The tissue scaffold was implanted into the resultant defect.


RESULTS
Endoscopic examination showed no airway obstruction for a postoperative period of 3 to 40 months in all dogs. Granulation tissue was observed in 2 dogs, and slight mesh exposure in 1 dog, although all were asymptomatic. Light microscopy and electron microscopy showed the endolaryngeal and endotracheal lumen to be covered by ciliated epithelium. According to strain-force measurement, the framework was firmly supported by regenerated tissue, as well as the normal cricoid and trachea.


CONCLUSIONS
Our current tissue scaffold provides a rigid framework for the airway, and the collagen coating invites tissue regrowth around the tube. This study presents the possibility of successful reconstruction of the cricoid and trachea with epithelial regeneration by means of in situ tissue engineering.
Omori
Koichi
K
Department of Otolaryngology, Fukushima Medical University, School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Japan.
Nakamura
Tatsuo
T
Kanemaru
Shinichi
S
Magrufov
Akhmar
A
Yamashita
Masaru
M
Shimizu
Yasuhiko
Y
D000818:Animals; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004285:Dogs; D004724:Endoscopy; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014132:Trachea / Q000166:cytology*