Slide tracheoplasty applied to acquired subglottic and upper tracheal stenosis: an experimental study in a canine model.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the applicability and complications of slide tracheoplasty in the management of subglottic and upper tracheal stenosis in experimental animals.

DESIGN

Subglottic stenosis was induced in 10 dogs by cauterizing the subglottic area and the upper 3 to 4 cm of the trachea. After 21 days, the severity of stenosis ranged from 30% to 60%. The subglottic area was reconstruction with slide tracheoplasty, and the results were evaluated at 4, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively.

SUBJECTS

Ten mongrel dogs (Canis familiaris) were included in the study, each weighing between 12 and 17 kg.

INTERVENTION

Slide tracheoplasty.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Patency of the reconstructed segment.

RESULTS

Follow-up examination revealed no airway obstruction in any animal. Examination of the reconstructed segment revealed good healing without granulation tissue and a patent endotracheal lumen in all cases. Histopathological examination of sections taken at the suture line confirmed complete healing without granulation tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Slide tracheoplasty can be applied successfully to the subglottic area. It offers many advantages in tracheal reconstruction and can be used for the management of acquired subglottic stenosis. The vascularized tracheal cartilage heals without granulation tissue often seen after cartilage interposition grafts. Furthermore, this technique reduces the need for tracheal and laryngeal mobilization for the treatment of longer areas of stenosis.