The effects of mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil/triamcinolone on fibrosis/scar tissue formation secondary to subglottic trauma (experimental study).

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of mitomycin-C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil/triamcinolone acetonide (5-FU/TA) on the development of fibrosis/scar tissue formation of rabbit subglottic area, which is injured acutely.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

After standardized trauma to subglottic area the rabbits were divided into those that received treatment and those that did not (controls). The subjects were treated with either topical 0.4 mg/mL MMC or 5 mg 5-FU/TA injection. Those groups were further divided into subgroups depending on the time of examination: at 2 or 6 weeks. Each subgroup had 4 rabbits. The specimens were examined histopathologically and the measurements were performed using a software.

RESULTS

The fibrosis indices (FIs) of the treated subgroups were significantly less than the FIs of their corresponding control subgroups (P<.05). The difference in FIs of the MMC-treated and 5-FU/TA-treated groups was not statistically significant (P>.05). MMC and 5-FU/TA did not interfere with regeneration of the epithelium although in 2 cases treated with 5-FU/TA the regenerated epithelium showed squamous metaplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

Both MMC and 5-FU/TA decrease fibrosis/scar tissue formation secondary to experimentally induced acute subglottic trauma. There is no significant difference between the effects of the 2 drugs.