[A tracheal prosthesis made from P(AEMA)--a further step toward tracheal replacement]

In animal experiments (5 dogs) the authors tested a material for the construction of tracheal prostheses so far not used in other countries. P(AEMA), the polymer 2-acetoxy-ethylmethacrylate is well tolerated, it did not produce a rejection reaction. The inner wall of the prosthesis was throughout the experiment patent, smooth and secretion did not adhere to it. Macroscopic examination did not reveal cumulation of mucus and signs of infection. The self-cleansing capacity was not impaired and the dog was able to expectorate mucus over a 5 cm length of the prosthesis. The solid ends of the prosthesis, however, caused mechanical irritation of the site of anastomosis and after cca 4 weeks of the experiment granulation tissue began to form. The experiments were terminated on account of complete occlusion of the lumen of the airways by granulation tissue 4-6 weeks after operation. The authors' efforts to design a suitable tracheal prosthesis led to a change of strategy of subsequent research. They started experiments with a heterologous portion of the pig trachea devoid of antigenicity; this will be the subject of a subsequent paper.