Biomechanical characteristics of the canine trachea.

The trachea is a dynamic organ that responds to the demands of deglutition, respiration, and gravity. Following tracheal resection, reconstruction should allow the trachea to assume its dynamic functions. Experiments in dogs revealed that mercury-in-silastic strain gage apparatus can successfully be used to measure the biomechanical dynamics of the trachea and subglottis. The upper tracheal segments assume a larger stress load than the lower tracheal segments following tracheal resection.