title: An animal model for laryngotracheal injuries: an experimental study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish an animal model for post-intubation laryngotracheal injuries resulting in significant laryngotracheal insult without compromising the survival of the animal for a minimum period of 12 weeks post-extubation. To study the extent of injury based on morphometric and histopathological change seen at 12 weeks post-extubation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized block, single-blinded, experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. The rabbits were randomly divided into three groups depending on the duration of intubation (6 hours, 4 hours, and 2 hours, respectively). The technique of intubation was standardized. Post-extubation, these rabbits were humanely sacrificed after observation for 12 weeks or when they developed severe respiratory distress. The larynx and trachea were subjected to gross and histopathological examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histopathological examination and statistical analysis showed significant subglottic injury in all group B rabbits (intubated for 4 hours), and all of them survived for 12 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, an animal model for inducing and studying laryngotracheal injuries due to endotracheal intubation has been established. This study has the potential applications in research on etiopathogenesis and management of post-intubation laryngotracheal injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, -116, India.
authors.forename: Saravanam P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Arunchalam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ravikumar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thanka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000473:pathology; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000473:pathology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Laryngotracheal injuries; airway model; laryngotracheal stenosis