Tracheal reconstruction with a vascularized cartilage flap in rabbits.

The relative merits of a vascularized autogenous cartilage flap (VACF) are discussed in reconstruction of tracheal defects in rabbits. Sixteen albino Vienna rabbits were divided into two groups of eight animals each. In all rabbits, a rectangular tracheal defect was created. In the experimental group, a VACF was designed on the left auricle. This island flap was then transposed through a subcutaneous tunnel to the trachea and used to repair the defect. In the control group, tracheal defects were reconstructed with free cartilage grafts. In histologic evaluations, it was found that the reconstructed site showed a greater degree of vascularization when a VACF was used, and the gap between the trachea and flap was filled with new cartilage tissue, to a much greater extent than with the free cartilage grafts. It is concluded that use of the VACF is a relatively safe and effective procedure for repairing tracheal defects.