Comparative analysis with stem cell therapy in rats with pharyngocutaneous fistula formation

Laryngocutaneous fistula is one of the most important complications encountered after larynx surgery. Stem cell therapy is a promising treatment approach for the future, both without the need for surgical methods and by assisting surgical methods to close the fistula. 30 female Downey Sprague rats were divided into 5 separate groups and pharyngocutaneous fistula was created. Stem cells were administered subcutaneously to Group 1(SC-SC) after the creation of PCF, and via the tail vein to Group 2 (V-SC). The 3rd group (C) was made as a control group and while fistula formation and subsequent closure characteristics in the neck were monitored without any treatment, the rats in the 4th group (V-M/SH) were given tail vein medium/sham and the 5th group (SC-M/SH) was given as subcutaneous medium/sham group. PCF closure was significantly higher in the group given SC compared to the control group. The differences between the groups were examined by Hematoxilen Eosin staining with light microscopy and evaluated in terms of inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblastic activity, collagen accumulation and neo-angiogenesis using the Ehrlich Hunt scale. After the experiments, all groups were stained with immunocytochemistry via TGF-β, VEGF and TNF-α antibodies. The statistical analysis was performed using the One-Way ANOVA test. When all these parameters were compared with the control group, a statistically significant difference was found.