A model for tracheal study.

While attempting to devise a valvular device to prevent aspiration in tracheo-esophageal anastomosis, we employed a model in the dog, which we feel would be very useful in the study of other tracheal problems. Essentially, a segment of trachea with its blood supply intact is isolated and turned through 90 degrees. One end of the segment is then anastomosed to the skin whereas the other end is either anastomosed to the gullet or covered with silastic, depending upon the required investigation. In both cases, after an interval of at least nine months, the segment continued to be lined by respiratory epithelium and no stenosis had occurred. Where silastic sheeting was employed to cover the end of the segment, the inner aspect of the silastic was covered with a thin layer of fibrous tissues lined by respiratory epithelium.