Tracheal resection and mucociliary clearance.

Mucociliary transport following tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis was evaluated in beagle dogs, using the movement of 99MTC labeled sodium pertechnetate solution as a marker. Preoperatively, mucociliary clearance was stable, but a three-fold decrease in tracheal mucus movement was found three days postoperatively. Clearance rates had returned to normal by 31 days postoperatively and remained stable over a ten week period of observation. By histological examination, normal ciliated epithelium was seen within six months following resection and anastomosis. Since up to 25% (4 cm or seven tracheal rings) of tracheal length was removed, significant longitudinal loss can take place without functional impairment of mucociliary clearance. Circumferential narrowing, however, was associated with a significant decrease in clearance.