Cervical trachea reconstruction with a non stented playsma myocutaneous
door flap (NPMCF) was studied in 20 dogs. Window defects involv
ing 5 and 10 tracheal rings from the anterior tracheal wall were produced
in 2 different groups of animals. The resuls were evaluated by clinical fol
low-up of up to 3 months, by postoperative endoscopies 1 week after sur
gery and 1 day before killing the animal and by macroscopic examination
after the animal's natural death or sacrifice.
The NPMCF proved to be adequate for the reconstruction of window de
fects limtied to 5 and 10 rings, with success rates of 100% and 75% re
spectively. The use of the NPMCF for tracheal reconstruction has the fol
lowing advantages: relatively simple, easy and expeditious surgery; use
of single operative field; versatility, dependability and ease of harvesting
of the flap; availability of large amounts of donor tissue which allows ten
sion-free cervical closure; adequate thickness; no need for mlcrosurgical
techniques; reliable irrigation; resistance to environmental exposure as ev
idenced by absence of infection; and 100% take rate with no scar stenosis
at the suture line. Hair growth and accumulation of secretions was the
only limitation of this method, However it can be easily dealt with. It can
be anticipated that this method has a potential for application in well se
lected patients. |
