Establishing Benchmarks for Airway Replacement: Long-Term Outcomes of Tracheal Autografts in a Large Animal Model.

OBJECTIVE

Airway replacement is a challenging surgical intervention and remains an unmet clinical need. Due to the risk of airway stenosis, anastomotic separation, poor vascularization, and necrosis, it is necessary to establish the gold-standard outcomes of tracheal replacement. In this study, we use a large animal autograft model to assess long-term outcomes following tracheal replacement.

METHODS

Four New Zealand White rabbits underwent tracheal autograft surgery and were observed for 6 months. Clinical and radiographic surveillance were recorded, and grafts were analyzed histologically and radiographically at endpoint.

RESULTS

All animals survived to the endpoint with minimal respiratory symptoms and normal growth rates. No complications were observed. Computed tomography scans of the post-surgical airway demonstrated graft patency at all time points. Histological sections showed no sign of stenosis or necrosis with preservation of the native structure of the trachea.

CONCLUSION

We established benchmarks for airway replacement. Our findings suggest that a rabbit model of tracheal autograft with direct reimplantation is feasible and does not result in graft stenosis or airway collapse.