Laryngotracheal reconstruction using autologous cartilage transplantation

Wang Jin-ping; Zhao Da-qing; Liu Hui

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.20.010

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Long-distance, large-range tracheal stenosis or defects are often seen in clinic, and laryngotracheal reconstruction is stil a difficult problem. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of animal autologous cartilage transplantation in laryngotracheal reconstruction. METHODS:The cricoid cartilage and partial anterior tracheal wal from New Zealand rabbits were resected to prepare laryngotracheal defect models. Then, autologous costal perichondrium was taken for transplantation. After 8-24 weeks, surviving animals were sacrificed to observe the repair effects. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:General observation showed that animals breathed and ate normaly, the implanted cartilage bonded tightly with the surrounding tissue, the wound healed wel without granulation tissue and scar formation, and there was a smooth inner surface covered by mucosa in the lumen. Under the light microscope, there was some mucosa generating at the wound site, and some fibroblasts and striated muscle cels existed in the outer layer, with a smal amount of new cartilage formation. There was also a linking between chondrocytes and muscle cels. These findings indicate that autologous cartilage transplantation can be applied for laryngotracheal reconstruction in animals, which has a good effect.