Tissue-engineered tracheal reconstruction using chondrocyte seeded on a porcine cartilage-derived substance scaffold.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Tracheal reconstruction with tissue-engineering technique has come

into the limelight in the realm of head and neck surgery. We intended to evaluate

the plausibility of allogenic chondrocytes cultured with porcine

cartilage-derived substance (PCS) scaffold for partial tracheal defect

reconstruction. METHODS: Powder made from crushed and decellularized porcine

articular cartilage was formed as 5 mm x 12 mm (height x diameter) scaffold.

Chondrocytes from rabbit articular cartilage were expanded and cultured with PCS

scaffold. After 7 weeks culture, the scaffolds were implanted on a 5 mm x 10 mm

artificial tracheal defect in six rabbits. Two, four and eight weeks

postoperatively, the sites were evaluated endoscopically, radiologically,

histologically and functionally. RESULTS: None of the six rabbits showed any sign

of respiratory distress. Endoscopic examination did not show any collapse or

blockage of the reconstructed trachea and the defects were completely covered

with regenerated respiratory epithelium. Computed tomography showed good luminal

contour of trachea. Postoperative histologic data showed that the implanted

chondrocyte successfully formed neo-cartilage with minimal inflammatory response

and granulation tissue. Ciliary beat frequency of regenerated epithelium was

similar to those of normal adjacent mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: The shape and function

of reconstructed trachea using allogenic chondrocytes cultured with PCS scaffold

was restored successfully without any graft rejection.