EXPERIMENTAL RECONSTRUCTION OF ANTERIOR AND CIRCUMFERENTIAL DEFECTS OF THE CERVICAL TRACHEA

Despite the variety of materials employable in the rehabilitation of t he cervical trachea, long-term success is rarely achieved. Both gross and microscopic postoperative developments were studied on 45 dogs sub mitted to nine different types of reconstruction of anterior and circu mferential defects. In the majority of cases, the grafts and prosthese s used for repairs, enveloped by connective and inflammatory tissue, w ere either absorbed or expelled. Only pedicled autologous grafts survi ved rejection. Failure of tracheal replacements appears to be confined to tracheal and local phenomena. Such events impaired the incorporati on of any type of graft or prosthesis.