Treatment of long, rigid tracheal stenoses. An experimental study on animals

Using both PVC models and animal experiments, new surgical methods of expanding long, rigid tracheal stenoses were investigated. After making a longitudinal incision laterally, oval-shaped composite grafts from the auricle were sutured on either side of the trachea. The stenoses were successfully stretched from about 35 to about 80% of the original lumina. In this way, and together with a sleeve resection, stenoses up to 7 or 8 cm are operable. It is the first time in experiments that a stenosis was carried out beforehand, and later expanded. This method allows a better judgement of the final result to be reached. Modifications of the basic technique are described and results are discussed in some detail.