Prevascularized Tracheal Scaffolds Using the Platysma Flap for Enhanced Tracheal Regeneration

One of the greatest hurdles in tracheal tissue engineering is insufficient vascularization, which leads to delayed mucosal regeneration, inflammation, and restenosis. This study investigated whether a prevascularized segmental tracheal substitute using platysma can enhance tracheal mucosal regeneration.

Three-dimensional (3D) printed scaffolds with (group M) or without (group S) Matrigel coating were implanted under the feeding vessels of the platysma in New Zealand White rabbits (n = 3) to induce vascularization. After 1 or 2 weeks, tracheal defects were created and vascularized scaffolds with feeders of the platysma were transplanted as rotational flaps. As controls, scaffolds with or without Matrigel coating was transplanted into a tracheal defect without prevascularization. Airway patency and epithelization were examined using a rigid bronchoscope every 2 weeks. Surviving animals were euthanized at 24 weeks, and microcomputed tomography and histological evaluation were performed.

Animals with 2 weeks of prevascularization showed longer survival than animals with 0 or 1 weeks of prevascularization regardless of the Matrigel coating. Wider airway patency was observed in group M than group S. Group M showed migration of epithelium over the scaffold from 4 weeks after transplantation and complete coverage with epithelium at 12 weeks, whereas group S showed migration of the epithelium from 14 weeks and incomplete coverage with epithelium even at 24 weeks.

This two-step method, utilizing the platysma as an in vivo bioreactor, may be a promising approach to achieve long-term survival and enhanced luminal patency. Matrigel coating on the scaffold had a synergistic effect on epithelial regeneration.

NA Laryngoscope, 131:1732-1740, 2021.