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- Title
Tracheal transplantation: superior and inferior thyroid artery perfusion territory.
- Authors
Salmeron, Jesse; Gannon, Patrick J.; Blackwell, Keith E.; Shaari, Christopher M.; Urken, Mark L.; Salmeron, J; Gannon, P J; Blackwell, K E; Shaari, C M; Urken, M L
- Abstract
<bold>Objective: </bold>To determine the perfusion territories of the superior and inferior thyroid arteries in humans. Tracheal transplantation is a potential option for management of long-segment tracheal stenosis. However, the maximum length of vascularized trachea that can be reliably transplanted has not been established.<bold>Study Design: </bold>The tracheal vascular territory of individual superior and inferior thyroid arteries was determined separately in 10 humans postmortem.<bold>Methods: </bold>India ink was infused unilaterally under controlled pressure into the superior (n = 5) and inferior (n = 5) thyroid arteries of cadaveric tracheas. Tracheas were sectioned longitudinally and the caudalmost extent of mucosal dye staining was determined via microscopic assessment.<bold>Results: </bold>The tracheal perfusion territory of the superior thyroid artery was two to five rings (1.7 +/- 0.5 cm) and the inferior thyroid artery, nine to 13 rings (6.5 +/- 1.1 cm). In both cases, the tracheal mucosa on the contralateral side was stained to the same caudal level.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>The inferior thyroid artery was shown to perfuse the trachea maximally to the 13th ring (8.1 cm). As such, the unilateral inferior thyroid artery would serve as a suitable vascular component for long-segment tracheal transplantation in humans.
- Publication
Laryngoscope, 1998, Vol 108, Issue 6, p849
- ISSN
0023-852X
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1097/00005537-199806000-00013