Fv. Demello et al., TRACHEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION - A METHOD INVOLVING MOBILIZATION OF A COMPLETE TRACHEAL NEOVASCULARIZED SEGMENT USING A STERNOHYOID MUSCLE FLAP, The Laryngoscope, 106(1), 1996, pp. 81-85
Tracheal segmental free grafts always tend to undergo necrosis with co
nsequent occlusion of the airway, Revascularized grafts are impossible
to carry out, since the trachea is devoid of a major vascular pedicle
that would permit microvascular reconstruction. On the other hand, ne
ovascularized grafts carry a potential for success but have not been s
ufficiently studied. Neovascularization of a six-ring circumferential
tracheal segment (CTS) was studied in dogs using a sternohyoid muscle
(SM) flap, Three different procedures were carried out, In group 1 the
six-ring CTS was inside a free graft, In group 2 the SM was freed fro
m its proximal connection and rotated to wrap a corresponding six-ring
CTS; it was then sutured and left in place for 21 days, After this pe
riod it was again approached, and the six-ring CTS was sectioned and s
utured back in place, leaving the distally pedicled SM untouched, In g
roup 3 an identical procedure was carried out, but the SM Bap was left
with a proximally rather than a distally based flap. All surviving an
imals were followed up for at least 1 year, and the results were analy
zed by clinical and tracheoscopic observations and by macroscopic and
microscopic studies after the animals were killed. All animals in grou
p 1 died within 18 days; the studies showed necrosis and occlusion of
the CTS, In groups 2 and 3 there was no degenerative change of the CTS
, whose aspect was close to normal on macroscopic and microscopic exam
ination. We conclude that the free CTS graft is totally inviable, In c
ontrast, neovascularization of the CTS occurs when the segment is firs
t wrapped around with an SM Bap. This ensures CTS viability and opens
new perspectives for homotransplantation.