Porous high density polyethylene (PHDPE) - autogenous tissue tracheal prosthesis.

This study has demonstrated the feasibility of using PHDPE/autogenous tissue tracheal prostheses to repair defects in the cervical trachea. The PHDPE rings have proven to be an efficacious method of providing a noncollapsing, yet flexible airway. The problems encountered were of a technical nature relating to blood supply in types I and II prostheses and airway leakage and dislodgment in type III prostheses. Future efforts will be directed toward solving these problems.