AN EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL FOR THE PREVENTION OF POSTANASTOMOTIC TRACHEAL STENOSIS

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.