Abstract:

Objective To establish a simple and stable rabbit model of cicatricial laryngotracheal stenosis. Methods Twenty New Zealand rabbits were divided into experiment group (n=10) and control group (n=10).  Tracheas of rabbits in experiment group were annularly incised, and were closed after scraping of tracheal mucosa with a nylon brush. Tracheas of rabbits in control group were closed immediately after incision, without any special treatment. Formation of cicatrix of trachea was observed by endoscopy on day 4, 9, 14 and 19, and the degree of stenosis was calculated. Rabbits were sacrificed three weeks later, laryngopharyngeal samples were obtained, and microscopic observations were conducted with HE staining. Results Endoscopic observations revealed that there was no cicatricial tissue hyperplasia in rabbits of control group. However, cicatricial tissue hyperplasia occurred and increased in rabbits in experiment group in a time-dependent manner, and the degree of tracheal stenosis 19 d after scraping was more severe than that 4 d after scraping (P＜0.05). Proliferation of fibroblasts and thickening of collagen fibers in areas of tracheal stenosis were observed by microscopic observations. Conclusion The rabbit model of cicatricial laryngotracheal stenosis can be easily established, which can serve in the research of treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis.

Key words: laryngotracheal stenosis, animal model, therapy