Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Seeding and Implantation of a Biosynthetic Tissue-engineered Tracheal Graft in a Mouse Model
Published on: April 1, 2019
Composite Biosynthetic Graft for Repair of Long-Segment Tracheal Stenosis: A Pilot In Vivo and In Vitro Feasibility
Teja Karkhanis1, Achu G Byju1, David L Morales2
1From the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Insights
A new biosynthetic graft using porcine small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM) shows promise for repairing long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS) in pediatric patients, improving tracheal tissue regeneration and biomechanical support.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS) in pediatric patients leads to poor surgical outcomes and complications.
- Current treatments for LSCTS are limited, necessitating novel repair strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel biosynthetic graft for tracheal repair in pediatric LSCTS.
- To assess the in vivo efficacy and in vitro biomechanical performance of the graft.
Main Methods:
- An ovine trachea model was used for in vivo evaluation of the porcine small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM) patch over 8 months.
- A benchtop lamb trachea model assessed the biomechanical stability of the complete biosynthetic graft (SIS-ECM patch + resorbable polymeric exostent).
Main Results:
- In vivo: SIS-ECM outperformed bovine pericardium, preventing restenosis and restoring tracheal architecture, vasculature, and epithelial/ciliary structures.
- In vitro: The biosynthetic graft demonstrated axial and flexural stability, with biomechanical function comparable to native trachea.
Conclusions:
- The SIS-ECM based biosynthetic graft shows significant potential for tracheal repair in pediatric LSCTS.
- Further studies are warranted to confirm safety, efficacy, and long-term performance for tracheal defect repair.
Abstract:
Pediatric patients who undergo surgery for long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS) have suboptimal outcomes and postsurgical complications. To address this, we propose a biosynthetic graft comprising (1) a porcine small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM) patch for tracheal repair, and (2) a resorbable polymeric exostent for biomechanical support. The SIS-ECM patch was evaluated in vivo in an ovine trachea model over an 8 month period. Concurrently, the biosynthetic graft was evaluated in a benchtop lamb trachea model for biomechanical stability. In vivo results show that SIS-ECM performs better than bovine pericardium (control) by preventing granulation tissue/restenosis, restoring tracheal architecture, blood vessels, matrix components, pseudostratified columnar and stratified epithelium, ciliary structures, mucin production, and goblet cells. In vitro tests show that the biosynthetic graft can provide the desired axial and flexural stability, and biomechanical function approaching that of native trachea. These results encourage future studies to evaluate safety and efficacy, including biomechanics and collapse risk, biodegradation, and in vivo response enabling a stable long-term tracheal repair option for pediatric patients with LSCTS and other tracheal defects.
More Related Videos
09:10Heterotopic and Orthotopic Tracheal Transplantation in Mice used as Models to Study the Development of Obliterative Airway Disease
Published on: January 20, 2010
08:26Design of a Biocompatible Drug-Eluting Tracheal Stent in Mice with Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Published on: January 21, 2020