ANATOMY AND VASCULAR PERFUSION TERRITORIES OF THE SUPERIOR THYROID ARTERY IN MACACA-MULATTA

Objective: Currently, methods used to repair long segment tracheal ste nosis are unreliable. Here, a new nonhuman primate model of tracheal t ransplantation is used based on its evolutionary proximity to humans. Study Design: Prospective dye perfusion study in Macaca mulatta, Metho ds: After anatomical characterization, Evan's blue solution was inject ed into the right superior thyroid artery unilaterally (n = 5). Staini ng of the tracheal vasculature was then examined. Results: In M mulatt a, the superior thyroid artery branched from the Lingual-facial trunk and was 0.64 +/- 0.18 mm in diameter. Dye staining was bilateral, with the ipsilateral side extending to 2.98 +/- 0.58 cm and the contralate ral to 2.88 +/- 0.88 cm, 12.9 +/- 3.45 rings (47% of trachea). Conclus ions: The tracheal vasculature has extensive bilateral collateral vasc ular channels that may provide a graft survival advantage. Macaques ma y serve as a good model of tracheal transplantation because of the col lateral vascularization of the trachea and the extensive tracheal segm ent supplied by the superior thyroid artery, and because the superior thyroid artery and vein are anastomosable.