HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sato, T. Articles by Nakamura, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sato, T. Articles by Nakamura, T. Related Collections Trachea and bronchi

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010;139:26-31
© 2010 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery

General Thoracic Surgery

Biodegradable polymer coating promotes the epithelization of tissue-engineered airway prostheses

^a Department of Bioartificial Organs, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
^d Department of Medical Simulation Engineering, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
^b Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
^c Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
^e Department of Otolaryngology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan

Received for publication July 24, 2008; revisions received January 14, 2009; accepted for publication April 1, 2009.

^_* Address for reprints: Toshihiko Sato, MD, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kyoto University, 54 Kawaharacho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. (Email: tsato{at}kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp).

Objective: We have developed a prosthesis that includes a collagen layer for tracheobronchial reconstruction and applied it in a canine model. In previous studies luminal epithelization remained partial or rather slow because of the early disintegration of the collagen layer. We have improved this type of prosthesis by coating the luminal surface with a biodegradable polymer, which serves to protect the collagen layer. The effect of the polymer coating on the epithelization of the luminal surface of the prosthesis was examined.

Methods: The main frame consisted of a polypropylene mesh tube, measuring 15 mm in inner diameter and 30 mm in length, with reinforcing rings. Collagen extracted from porcine skin was conjugated to this frame. The luminal surface was coated with a polymer, poly (L-lactic-acid-co--caprolactone). In 5 beagle dogs the left main bronchus was replaced with this prosthesis, periodic bronchoscopic observations were conducted, and microscopic evaluations were performed.

Results: All dogs survived until they were killed, except for 1 animal in which pneumonia developed, and this animal died at 13 months after replacement. None of the dogs showed adverse complications caused by the prosthesis. Bronchoscopic observations revealed that the polymer remained on the luminal surface for 2 weeks. The luminal surface in 4 dogs was completely covered with ciliated columnar epithelium or nonciliated squamous epithelium, and 90% epithelization was achieved in 1 dog.

Conclusions: The biodegradable polymer coating protected the collagen layer and promoted better epithelization. This improved epithelization on the luminal surface could therefore potentially increase the success rates in airway replacement with artificial prostheses.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Lange, J. M. Fishman, M. J. Elliott, P. De Coppi, and M. A. Birchall What Can Regenerative Medicine Offer for Infants with Laryngotracheal Agenesis? Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, October 1, 2011; 145(4): 544 - 550. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]