TRACHEAL RECONSTRUCTION USING AN EPITHELIAL EQUIVALENT

The application of a rapidly vascularized epithelial equivalent that i nhibits wound contraction would have great potential in the prevention and repair of tracheal stenosis. An animal model was developed to sim ulate the effects of circumferential tracheal injury and an autologous epithelial equivalent was created from a fibroblast-collagen matrix a nd subsequently implanted in the traumatized site in an attempt to pre vent stenosis. Postinjury physiologic and histologic evaluation reveal ed near-normal mucosal flow analysis in the treated sites and an area of less than 20% stenosis versus 95 + % in controls. This study's find ings indicate that tracheal stenosis can be limited by the use of an e pithelial equivalent.