GROWTH OF TRACHEAL AUTOGRAFTS IN PUPPIES

The growth of tracheal autografts and the patency of anastomotic regio ns were studied in 11 mongrel puppies (2.5-4 months of age, 1.9-4.3kg in weight). Thoracic tracheal autotransplantation of 7 cartilage rings was performed. The tracheal autografts and anastomotic regions were c overed with an omental pedicle flap to facilitate revascularization. S even of the 11 dogs were evaluated for 12 months. The cross-sectional area of the lumen at the center of the tracheal autograft, as measured by thoracic computed tomography (CT), showed a significant increase f rom 0.37 +/- 0.11 cm(2) to 1.13 +/- 0.44 cm(2) after 12 months (P < 0. 05). At 12 months postoperatively, all of the experimental dogs were k illed, their entire tracheas were resected, and the cross-sectional ar eas of the anastomosis on the proximal and distal sides were measured. The cross-sectional areas at sites 5mm apart from both anastomoses in the ungrafted trachea were measured as controls. The percent cross-se ctional area (%CSA) showed good values of 67.2% +/- 19.6% on the proxi mal side and 85.1% +/- 12.6% on the distal side. The tracheal autograf ts appeared both visually and histologically viable 12 months postoper atively. This study was able to demonstrate the growth potential of th e tracheal autograft in a growing puppy model.