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Erschienen in:
01.06.2010 | Original Article
Tracheal defect repair using a PLGA–collagen hybrid scaffold reinforced by a copolymer stent with bFGF-impregnated gelatin hydrogel
Erschienen in: Pediatric Surgery International | Ausgabe 6/2010
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Purpose
We studied the regenerated cartilage in tracheal defect repair and compared the bio-materials used versus native trachea using basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-impregnated gelatin hydrogel.
Materials and methods
A full-thickness anterior defect was created in the cervical trachea of 15 experimental rabbits. The defect was implanted with a hybrid scaffold of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) knitted mesh and collagen sponge. The implanted trachea was reinforced with a copolymer stent of polycaprolactone and poly(lactic acid) coarse fiber mesh. A gelatin hydrogel was used for providing a sustained release of bFGF. The reconstructed tracheas were divided into three groups with wrapped materials; without gelatin hydrogel (control group, n = 5), a gelatin hydrogel with saline (gelatin group, n = 5), and a gelatin hydrogel with 100 μg of bFGF (bFGF group, n = 5). One of the five rabbits in each group at 1 month after operation, one at 3 months, and three at 6 months were killed and the engineered tracheas were evaluated histologically. Biomechanical properties were evaluated on samples at 6 months postoperatively.
Results
The rigid support in the defect portion was maintained during 6 months postoperatively. The newly regenerated cartilages were recognized between the host cartilage stumps at 3 months postoperatively in the bFGF group, and limited new cartilage growth and epithelialization were observed at 6 months postoperatively.
Conclusions
The experiment shows that using bFGF, better mechanical strength was obtained but with poor cartilage growth.