• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.128-139
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to review the literatures of experimental tracheal reconstruction. Although there have been significant advancements in the surgical treatment of the long circumferential tracheal injuries, there still has been a difficult problem with high morbidity and mortality. The method for tracheal reconstruction after circumferential resection is preferred end-to-end anastomosis for defects up to 6 cm in length, but larger tracheal defects require the use of tracheal allograft, various artificial prosthesis or autogenous organs. The tracheal allotransplantation has been widely used as there was significantly improved the method of surgical technique, preservation and immunosuppression. But it has been limited by a number of factors such as few donor, limited use of immunosuppressant, delayed revascularization and re-epitheliazation. Experimental studies on the tracheal prosthesis have a long history and they tried to use silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene mesh, Dacron, Marlex mesh, external or internal stents. Other experimental studies were reported the use of autogenous tissues that were cartilage. jejunum, aorta, skin, muscle, periostium or esophagus. But a great variety of these protheses have been resulted unsatisfactory in a significant Proportion of cases. Alternatively, the tissue-engineering technique has showed a new approach to reconstruct trachea and much progress in tissue-engineering bas been made recently. In conclusion, although the tracheal allotransplantation and the use of prosthesis and allograft have been reported a lot of limitation to overcome, we could sooner expect good result of ideal tracheal prosthesis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.328-339
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• 2013

Background: Ischemic injury and the rejection process are the main reasons for graft failure in tracheal transplantation models. To enhance the acceptance, we investigated the influence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on tracheal allografts. Methods: Extracted tracheal grafts from New Zealand white rabbits were cryopreserved for 4 weeks and orthotopically transplanted (control group A, n=8). In group B (n=8), cyclosporin A (CsA, 10 mg/kg) was injected daily into the peritoneal cavity. In group C (n=8), MSCs ($1.0{\times}10^7$ cells/kg) from the same donor of the tracheal allograft, which had been pre-cultured for 4 weeks, were infused intravenously after transplantation. In group D (n=8), MSCs were infused and CsA was injected daily. Four weeks after transplantation, gross and histomorphological assessments were conducted for graft necrosis, measuring the cross-sectional area of the allograft, determining the degree of epithelization, lymphocytic infiltration, and vascular regeneration. Results: The morphologic integrity of the trachea was retained completely in all cases. The cross-sectional areas were decreased significantly in group A (p=0.018) and B (p=0.045). The degree of epithelization was enhanced (p=0.012) and the lymphocytic infiltration was decreased (p=0.048) significantly in group D compared to group A. The degree of vascular regeneration did not differ significantly in any of the groups. There were no significant correlations among epithelization, lymphocytic infiltration, and vascular regeneration. Conclusion: The administration of MSCs with concurrent injections of CsA enhanced and promoted epithelization and prevented lymphocytic infiltration in tracheal allografts, allowing for better acceptance of the allograft.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 1994

This study examined the effects of cyclosporin A [CsA] and methylprednisolone[MP] on the viability of the devascularized trachea after heterotopic transplantation. Fourty-two tracheal segments were harvested from 21 donor Wistar rats. Those tracheal segments were heterotopically implanted into the abdomen of recipient rats after wrapping in omentum. Heterotopical implantation was performed in six groups of rats:Group I was Wistar syngeneic controls, and five groups of Sprague Dawley recipients, receiving no immunosuppression[Group II], CsA alone[Group III, V], and CsA in combination with MP[Group IV, VI]. After 14 days, the tracheal segments were histologically evaluated.Epithelial thickness and the degree of epithelial regeneration were significantly different between group I and group II, III, VI, VI [p< 0.05]. There were significant differences in the epithelial thickness between group II, III, IV and group V, VI. In the degree of epithelial regeneration, there were significant differences in group II, group III-IV, and group V-VI. Without immunosuppression there was virtually no epithelium, whereas low-dose immunosuppression yielded intermediated viability, and with high dose CsA and MP we observed improved tracheal viability. Our results suggest that optimal combination of CsA and MP may improve the viability in heterotopic tracheal allografts.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.623-631
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• 2004

Background: Using the neovascularizing properties of the omentum, we studied the viability and vascularity of the cryopreserved rat tracheal allografts with omental implantation. Material and Method: The cryopreserved tracheal allografts of eight-week old male Sprague Dawley rats were implanted into the omentum. The rats were divided into the four groups according to the duration of cryopreservation and of omental implantation. We examined the tracheal allografts histologically for viability of cartilages, inflammation and fibrosis of smooth muscle and connective tissue, and degree of vascularity. Result: The degree of inflammation in the smooth muscle and the connective tissue of the tracheal allografts was not statistically related to neither the duration of cryopreservation or of omental implantation. The tracheal cartilages of the tracheal allografts were found to be severely calcified in all cases. Significant difference in vascularity was found between the groups I and II (p < 0.05). And a sufficient vascularity in the intercartilaginous space was observed in the mid portion of the tracheal allografts as well as both ends. Conclusion: In conclusion, the omental implantation for 2 weeks could establish a sufficient vascularity in the intercartilaginous spaces for maintaining the viability of the tracheal allografts. This study might provide a possibility of the sequential tracheal allotransplantation after omental implantation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1127-1133
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• 1998

Background: There are no ideal substitutes for tracheal replacement. Therefore we investigated the possibility of clinical use of cryopreserved tracheal homograft with special interest in the viability and rejection of the epithelial cell and cartilage. Material and Method: Rabbit's trachea was sected and stored in liquid nitrogen tank for 1 month. Tracheal replacement was done in 45 rabbits with autograft(n=15, Group 1), fresh allograft(n=15, Group 2) and cryopreserved homograft(n=15, Group 3). After 7, 14, and 30 days, 5 rabbits in each group were sacrificed and the regeneration of epithelium and cartilage and the degree of rejection were assessed by counting the monocellular infiltration. Result: Investigation at day 7, showed no difference in epithelial regeneration, however, at days 14 and 30, Group 1 showed better regeneration of epithelium than groups 2 and 3. There was no difference of epithelial regeneration between group 2 and 3. There was little rejection at day 7, but at days 14 and 30, there was significant rejection in group 2 and group 3.(P<0.05). Group 3 showed lesser rejection than group 2 at days 14 and 30, but it was not statistically significant. Cartilage showed no rejection and maintained its viability in groups 2 and 3. Conclusion: Cryopreserved tracheal homograft can maintain its viability, therefore it may represent a possibility of clinical application for tracheal replacement. However, cryopreservation can not eliminate the antigenicity of the trachea completely. Furthere studies for lowering the antigenicity and rejection should be performed for an ideal substitute for tracheal replacement.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1182-1190
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• 1996

The best treatment of congenital or acquired tracheal stenosis is resection and end to end anastomosis. Various prosthetic material and tissue graft replacement can be considered when the stenotic segment is too long, but their uses are still limited due to many serious complications. The present study examined the effect of immunosuppression and cryopreserved allograft trachea after intraperitoneal omental implantation for evaluation of the possibility of tracheal transplantation. Thirty tracheal segments were harvested from fifteen donor Wistar rats. Among them eighteen segments were implanted immediately(group I, II, III) and twelve segments were used for cryopreservation(group IV, V). Heterotopical intraperitoneal implantation was performed in five groups of rats(n=6); Group I was Wistar syngeneic controls and received no immunosuppression. Group II and III were those of Sprague-Dawley recipients, the former receiving no immunosuppression and the latter receiving immunosuppression(Cyclosporin A 15mg/kg/day, Methylprednisolone 2mg/kg/day). Group IV and V were groups of Sprague-Dawley recipients, the former receiving immunosuppression and the latter receiving no Immunosuppression. After 28 days, rats were sacrificed and the tracheal segments were histologically evaluated. Epithelial thickness was significantly decreased in group II, IV. Epithelial regeneration score was also significantly decreased in II. All rats maintained well their round tracheal contour. In conclusion; I) trachea could be preserved for a long time with cryo method, 2) epithelium could regenerate fully with omentopexy in cryopreserved trachea, 3) immunosuppresion was not necessary with cryopreserved trachea.