Chondrogenic Activity of Vascularized Perichondrial Flap for Rabbit Tracheal Reconstruction

토끼 기관의 재건에 이용된 혈행성 연골막 피판의 연골생성능

Perichondrium is generally used for reconstruction of airway and successful regeneration of cartilage framework using perichondrium are reported by several authors. It has many advantages for airway reconstruction. It can maintain the stable framework and it has higher flexibility so it's easy to design according to the shape of defects. It resist strongly against infection process. Its airtightness and rapid mucosalization enables to predict good postoperative recovery and results. To investigate the differences in cartilage regeneration between avascular and vascularized perichondrial flap, this study was designed with vascularized flaps composed of vascularized perichondrium and central auricular artery and vein. Morphologic study was performed to determine the fate of the grafted perichondrium at regular intervals using light microscopy with H & E stain. Chondrogenic potential and formation of cartilaginous plate of experimental group was superior than in the control group. Grafted perichondrium was fed by consistent feeding vessel. At 6 weeks, the regenerated cartilage could hardly be distinguished form the normal cartilage framework but in control group, regenerated cartilaginous tissue was generally immature in same period. In conclusion, this study indicated that consistent vasculature to grafed tissue is the essential factor for successful reconstruction of cartilaginous framework.