A tissue-engineering approach for stenosis of the trachea and/or cricoid

Abstract

Conclusion: This new regenerative therapy shows great potential for the treatment of stenosis of the trachea and/or cricoids (STC). Objectives: To estimate the potential of tissue-engineered artificial trachea (AT) for treatment of STC in clinical applications. We previously reported that AT was a useful material for implantation into a tracheal defect after resection of cancer. There are many causes of stenosis of the respiratory tract and STC is particularly difficult to treat. Methods: The AT was a spiral stent composed of Marlex mesh made of polypropylene and covered with collagen sponge made from porcine skin. Three patients with STC were treated by this tissue-engineering method. All of them suffered from STC caused by long endotracheal intubations. They underwent a two-stage operation. In the first operation, after resection of the stenotic regions, the edge of the tracheal cartilage was sutured to the edge of the skin. The tracheal lumen was exposed and a T-shaped cannula was inserted into the large tracheostoma. At 3 weeks to 2 months after the first operation, the trachea and skin were separated. The trimmed AT with venous blood and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) was then implanted into the cartilage defect. Results: Postoperatively, all patients were able to breathe easily and had no discomfort in their daily activities. Six months after the second operation, we observed enough air space in the trachea and cricoid by computed tomography (CT) imaging and fiber endoscopy.

Keywords::

• Respiratory tract
• artificial trachea
• basic fibroblast growth factor
• regeneration of the trachea
• staged operation

Acknowledgment

This study was supported by a Health Sciences Research Grant from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.