[An experimental study of polypropylene combined with flap for trachea reconstruction].
OBJECTIVE
Canine model established for tracheal defect reconstruction, to investigate the outcome of tracheal reconstruction with combination of polypropylene and flap.


METHODS
About 3.5 to 4 centimeter cervical trachea was resected and replaced with artificial trachea made from monofilament knitted polypropylene and surgical flap. Covered stent was implanted postoperatively. Survival period and quality of life were recorded, bronchofibroscopy, X-ray films and HE sections were performed.


RESULTS
Six dogs survived well and another two died. The causes of death were respiratory failure in 1 and infection in another. Stenosis of anastomosis in 1 was recorded during survival period. The dogs started drinking and eating on the second postoperative day, no dyspnea was found. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Soft tissue growth was found in polypropylene net 2 weeks after surgery and more at 4 weeks. The polypropylene net was covered completely with soft tissue at 8 weeks and 6 months postoperatively, the hardness and sustentation degree were enhanced following the growth and fibrosis of soft tissue. The squamous epithelium and columnar epithelium were observed healing well by HE staining method.


CONCLUSIONS
One-stage operative artificial trachea made from monofilament knitted polypropylene which has good histocompatibility and surgical flap is the closer artificial trachea to native trachea. It has a promising prospect in clinical use.
Zhao
Xue-Ning
XN
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
Cong
Bo
B
Liu
Da-Yu
DY
Lei
Da-Peng
DP
Ye
Ping
P
Hang
Kun
K
Yao
Lei
L
Zhang
Zhong-Hua
ZH
Pan
Xin-Liang
XL
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D011126:Polypropylenes; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*
D011126:Polypropylenes