J. Gonzalvezpinera et al., AN EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL FOR THE PREVENTION OF POSTANASTOMOTIC TRACHEAL STENOSIS, Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 114(1), 1997, pp. 76-83
Objective: The aim of the current study is to determine the efficiency
of an external prosthesis made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene re
inforced with a continuous silicone spiral to prevent postanastomotic
stenosis after surgical correction of extensive tracheal defects in ra
bbits, Methods: Forty-five rabbits were used, divided into three group
s of 15 animals each, Group A was the control group, Group B animals u
nderwent resection of six-ring segments of the cervical trachea and pr
imary anastomosis, The procedure used in group C was similar to that u
sed in group B, but the tracheal anastomosis was supported bg an exter
nal expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis, Results: Direct anast
omosis after resection of six tracheal rings caused anastomotic stenos
is in 100% of the animals, We did not observe tracheal stenosis in any
rabbit when we applied an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tube as an
external stent for the tracheotracheal suture, Conclusion: We conclud
e that an external stent can be used to prevent tracheal stenosis resu
lting from the resection of six cervical tracheal rings in rabbits.