Use of Internal Bioabsorbable PLGA "Finger-Type" Stents in a Rabbit Tracheal Reconstruction Model

Abstract

Biodegradable PLGA stents degrade in a predictable fashion and have a statistically significant effect in augmenting anterior patch tracheoplasties with fascia lata grafts in rabbits.

Preliminary biocompatibility experiment of polymer films for laser‐assisted tissue welding

“…Copolymers containing equimolar concentrations of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) have been shown to degrade in about 5 weeks, while copolymers containing 0-26% PGA degrade in about 20 weeks, both in rats [37]. A PLA ''foam'' was shown to degrade in about 11 weeks in vitro [38], and a PLGA tracheal stent with an 80:20 lactic:glycolic acid ratio was degraded at 14 weeks in rabbits [39]. In view of these degradation times, it is not surprising that the PLGA film persisted in the wound site through the 14-day timepoint.…”

Regenerative Medicine: Reconstruction of Tracheal and Pharyngeal Mucosal Defects in Head and Neck Surgery

“…This was the reason why the approach combining the use of autologous materials and biodegradable stents was not accepted. The authors assumed that through controlled release of growth relevant factors from the biodegradable polymeric scaffolds, the potential of this method could be enhanced so that the enhancement especially of cartilage growth would render the reconstructed tracheal segments more stabile [54] .…”

Biodegradable Airway Stents - Bench to Bedside: A Comprehensive Review

“…Ten animal studies [45,46,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67] regarding BD endoluminal airway stents have been published (table 1). The first study was performed in 35 rats by Lochbihler et al [60] using stents made of vicryl filaments, surgically implanted in the trachea through a cervical median incision.…”

“…Robey et al [63] studied in vitro, mechanical and degradative properties of PLGA helical stents. Significant mass loss was noted in vitro until after 5 weeks in buffer solution.…”