Defining the biomechanical properties of the rabbit trachea.
OBJECTIVE
Surgical advancements rely heavily on validated animal models. The New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit is a widely used model for airway research, including regenerative medicine applications. Currently, the biomechanical properties of the normal rabbit trachea are not known. Our objective was to define these properties to assist in the standardization and understanding of future airway research using this model.


METHODS
Laboratory-based study.


METHODS
Fresh tracheas from four adult NZW rabbits were dissected into 20 segments. To examine the biomechanical properties, segments were subjected to uniaxial tension (n = 9) and compression (n = 11) testing. Yield and maximum load (tension) and force at 50% displacement (compression) were recorded, and differences between segments were examined using analysis of covariance.


RESULTS
Normative data for native rabbit trachea show mean maximum load = 6.44 newtons (N), yield load = 5.93 N, and compressive strength = 2.10 N. In addition to establishing the baseline measurements, statistically significant differences in tensile measures based on location along the trachea and diameter were identified. Proximal segments had significantly higher maximum load (P = .0029) and yield load (P = .0062) than distal segments. Association between diameter and both maximum load (P = .0139) and yield load (P = .0082) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The adult NZW rabbit trachea is intrinsically less able to withstand tensile and compressive forces, compared to other airway models such as sheep or cadaveric human. Establishment of normative values will enable future research into changes in tracheal biomechanical properties during regenerative medicine manipulation and processing.
Center for Voice, Airway and Swallowing, Department of Otolaryngology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, U.S.A.
Matthew C
MC
Jones
Frederick A
FA
Rueggeberg
Hunter A
HA
Faircloth
Aaron J
AJ
Cunningham
Carrie M
CM
Bush
John D
JD
Prosser
Jennifer L
JL
Waller
Gregory N
GN
Postma
Paul M
PM
Weinberger
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019245:Compressive Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D011817:Rabbits; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014132:Trachea / Q000502:physiology*
Allograft; New Zealand White rabbit; biomechanical properties; biomechanics; structural properties; tensile strength; tissue engineering; trachea; tracheal transplant; tracheal transplantation