Objective To construct a new composite artificial trachea and to investigate the feasibility of trachea repair and reconstruction with the new composite artificial trachea transplantation in dogs. Methods The basic skeleton of the new composite artificial trachea was polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prosthesis linked with titanium rings at both ends. Dualmesh was sutured on titanium rings. Sixteen dogs, weighing (14.9 ± 2.0) kg, female or male, were selected. The 5 cm cervical trachea was resected to prepare the cervical trachea defect model. The trachea repair and reconstruction was performed with the new composite artificial trachea. Then fiberoptic bronchoscope examination, CT scan and three-dimensinal reconstruction were conducted at immediate, 1 month, and 6 months after operation. Gross observation and histological examination were conducted at 14 months to evaluate the repair and reconstruction efficacy. Results No dog died during operation of trachea reconstruction. One dog died of dyspnea at 37, 41, 55, 66, 140, and 274 days respectively because of anastomotic dehiscence and artificial trachea displacement; the other 10 dogs survived until 14 months. The fiberoptic bronchoscope examination, CT scan and three-dimensinal reconstruction showed that artificial tracheas were all in good location without twisting at immediate after operation; mild stenosis occurred and anastomoses had slight granulation in 6 dogs at 1 month; severe stenosis developed and anastomosis had more granulation in 1 dog and the other dogs were well alive without anastomotic stenosis at 6 months. At 14 months, gross observation revealed that outer surface of the artificial trachea were encapsulated by fibrous connective tissue in all of 10 dogs. Histological examination showed inflammatory infiltration and hyperplasia of fibrous tissue and no epithelium growth on the inner wall of the artificial trachea. Conclusion The new composite artificial trachea can be used to repair and reconstruct defect of the trachea for a short-term. Anastomotic infection and dehiscence are major complications and problems affecting long survival.
Objective To review the research of the artificial tracheal prosthesis in the past decade so as to provide theoretical references for the development of the artificial tracheal prosthesis. Methods The l iterature about the artificial tracheal prosthesis was extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results Many new materials are used for the research of artificialtracheal prosthesis which have excellent biocompatibil ity and stabil ity of the structural characteristics. And many compl ications such as migration, obstruction, and infection have been resolved, but so far none of the new materials has been used for cl inical treatment successfully. Conclusion The choice of the materials for artificial tracheal prosthesis is the key to succeed. Biodegradable polymer materials with its unique biological properties become the new direction of the tracheal prosthesis research.
ObjectiveTo observe the morphological and pathological changes after transplantation of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in vivo. MethodsPTFE microporous polypropylene tube which was encircled by spiral steel wire was used to prepare the artificial trachea.Forty New Zealand white rabbits (weighing,4-5 kg) were selected,and were divided into 2 groups.After the cervical trachea (2 cm in length) was removed,the end-to-end anastomosis between the trachea and PTFE artificial trachea was performed in the experimental group (n=20),and end-to-end anastomosis of the trachea in the control group (n=20).The survival of the rabbits was observed after operation;the X-ray,gross,and histological observations were carried out at 2,4,and 6 months after operation.The longitudinal tensile and radial support biomechanical tests were performed before and after transplantation. ResultsThe survival time was more than 2 months and the artificial airway was patency in 15 rabbits of the experimental group;the tissue outside the artificial trachea was like tracheal tissue,which filled in the defect,but it was more than 4 months.X-ray observation showed that the PTFE artificial trachea had no obvious displacement in the experimental group,and no tracheostenosis was observed in the control group.After 2 months,there was no epithelial tissue on the artificial airway wall;after 4 months,there was some epithelial cells on the artificial airway wall,incomplete endothelialization and trachea layer structure were seen with no tracheal ciliated columnar epithelium;after 6 months,the artificial trachea wall was covered with epithelium basically,and some ciliated columnar epithelium cells were found,which had the physiological function of the trachea.The transplanted PTFE artificial trachea could keep the stability of the biological mechanics performance,and could be used for the rabbit tracheal reconstruction. ConclusionPTFE artificial trachea can induce to form a tracheal tissue in the trachea tissues of recipients,each layer of the trachea is relatively complete and the experiment animals can be short-term survival.