Reconstruction of Anterior Tracheal Defects Using a Bioengineered Graft in a Porcine Model

Using pigs as an experimental model, the authors demonstrated incorporation of bioengineered tracheal grafts in large tracheal defects.  The grafts were constructed of acellular bovine dermis extracellular matrix and human mesenchymal stem cells incubated with chondogenic factors.  The authors demonstrated that the use of stem cells resulted in chondrogenesis, and that the grafts developed neovascularization and epithelialization, all of which are important in supporting tracheal healing and growth.