Several patologies affect the trachea, compromising the respiratory stream and the animal survival. Foreign bodies, neoplasm, ruptures, collapse and stricture are the most common ones. The effects of canine pinna cartilage implantation were evaluated in 12 dogs. Six of them were submitted to an autograft (group I) and six to homograft preserved in 98% glycerin (group II), to repair tracheal defects. One third of three cervical tracheal rings were removed and substituted for auto or homograft. These animals remained under observation and clinical evaluation in rest and moderate physical exercise during a 45 days period, without presenting any decurrent complications. At the end of the observation period, the trachea was submitted to gross and microscopic examination. Full epithelization of the grafted area was observed by macroscopic evaluation in both groups. Microscopic analyses showed granulation tissue in the transplanted area of group I, the lamina propria with moderate infiltration of neutrophile and few fibrosis with focus of epithelial hyperplasia. Animals of group II presented granulation around the area of the implantation and discrete invasion of macrophages and neomorph vases in the lamina propria, with moderate inflammation. The epithelium showed no alteration. These data suggest that the pinna cartilage homograft implant induce less aggressive response by the receiving streambed, even so this was not observed grossly.
surgery; respiratory system; tracheal healing
