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Gregory Sewall ‘06

Sewall GK, Warner T, Connor NP, Hartig GK. Comparison of resorbable poly-L-lactic, poly-glycolic acid (PLPG) and internal Palmaz stents for the surgical correction of severe tracheomalacia. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2003, 112: 515-521.

Tracheomalacia (TM) is associated with expiratory airway collapse and potentially fatal respiratory distress. Internal and external tracheal stents and recently resorbable biopolymers have been used to treat this condition. In this study, efficacy and biocompatibility of internal Palmaz and external poly-L-lactic, poly-glycolic acid (PLPG) stents were compared in a model of severe TM induced in piglets. Tracheas were repaired with one of two stenting methods and animals survived for up to16 weeks. Weight gain, adverse respiratory signs/symptoms, tracheal/lung histopathology, and internal and external tracheal diameters were measured. Animals in the PLPG group uniformly were free of respiratory distress and tracheal stenosis/inflammation, while all animals in the Palmaz group developed respiratory distress as a result of pneumonia or tracheal stenosis caused by intraluminal granulation tissue. In conclusion, superior efficacy of external, resorbable PLPG stents was found relative to internal Palmaz stents for the surgical repair of severe TM.

A stained section (H & E) of a PLPG-stented trachea shown at 20X magnification. Marked mucosal thickening and polyposis can be observed in this Palmaz-stented trachea (16 weeks)
A stained section (H & E) of a PLPG-stented trachea shown at 20X magnification. Marked mucosal thickening and polyposis can be observed in this Palmaz-stented trachea (16 weeks)

 

 

 

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Otolaryngology Surgery University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery
First published: 07/15/02 Last updated: 11/24/09 webmaster@surgery.wisc.edu
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