A modified rabbit model of tracheal stenosis and a household endoscope. More simplicity and accessibility.

PURPOSE: To develop a simpler animal model for benign tracheal stenosis and introduce a low-cost household endoscope for postmodeling endotracheal evaluation.

METHODS

Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into a model group (15 rabbits, subjected to transoral nylon brush scraping of the trachea) and a mock group (5 rabbits, merely exempted from scraping), a household endoscope was then introduced for weekly endoscopic examination. Meanwhile, other 15 rabbits (modeling like the model group) underwent batch tracheal resection at different postintervention times for pathological analysis.

RESULTS

The model group presented a low mortality and few complications. The endoscope could obtain adequate images for stenosis assessment, which showed that the models presented homogeneous injury after scraping and developed a mature scar stricture at 28 days postoperatively with a mean stenosis degree of 65.9%, and 71.4% (10/14) above Myer-Cotton's grade II. The pathological findings were consistent with the clinicopathological process of human. No stenosis was found in mock group.

CONCLUSION

The modified model is simpler, minimally invasive and reliable, while the household endoscope is competent for model's follow-up, providing easily accessible and useful tools for facilitating more extensive studies of benign tracheal stenosis.