Tracheal reconstruction using an epithelial equivalent

The application of a rapidly vascularized epithelial equivalent that inhibits wound contraction would have great potential in the prevention and repair of tracheal stenosis. An animal model was developed to simulate the effects of circumferential tracheal injury and an autologous epithelial equivalent was created from a fibroblast-collagen matrix and subsequently implanted in the traumatized site in an attempt to prevent stenosis. Postinjury physiologic and histologic evaluation revealed near-normal mucosal flow analysis in the treated sites and an area of less than 20% stenosis versus 95+% in controls. This study's findings indicate that tracheal stenosis can be limited by the use of an epithelial equivalent.