Enhancement of revascularization in orthotopic canine tracheal autografts and allografts with muscular wrapping

    LU Qiang, LI Xiaoª²Fei, WANG L¨¹, HAN Yong, YAN Xiaoª²Long

    Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¡¯an 710038, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To examine the effect of muscular wrapping for revascularization on airway healing in tracheal autografts/ allografts model. METHODS: Thirty mongrel dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups: autotransplantation without muscular wrapping (Group A), autotransplantation with muscular wrapping (Group B), and allotransplantation with muscular wrapping (Group C). A fiveª²ring cervical tracheal segment was harvested as the grafts. The animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk postoperation. The survival of the animals, gross and pathological characteristics of the specimens, and the neogenetic microvessel density were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The autografts failed to maintain their structure integrity without muscular wrapping in group A. In the muscular wrapping groups, the grafts maintained their structures, surrounded by wellª²vascularized connective tissues, and infections occurred around the grafts. CONCLUSION: Stenosis of tracheal grafts is closely correlated with blood supply. The autografts with muscular wrapping can induce new microvessels and maintain normal structure. The autografts can survive over 8 weeks. The allografts are surrounded by wellª²vascularized connective tissues and can keep trachea unobstructed, but with some stenosis. ......