Histological evaluation of the skin used for trachea reconstruction

RESUMO

There is controversy about whether the skin implanted inside the trachea suffers histological modifications as a function of the environment. To evaluate the phenomena that occur with the skin inside the airways, we assesed in dogs the macro- and microscopic aspects of this skin over periods of 30, 60 and 90 days. Six dogs were submitted to reconstruction of a window defect on the anterior wall of the trachea using a platysma myocutaneous flap. Animals were sacrificed in pairs 30, 60 and 90 days later for macro- and microscopic evaluation of the implanted skin. The results showed that no histological modification occurred during the study period. We conclude that skin implanted in the trachea does not undergo any changes even though this is an environment differing from its original site.