OBJECTIVETo investigate tracheal mucociliary transport change after reconstructed with free jejunum.

METHODSTwelve canine models of extensive circumferential tracheal defects reconstructed with revascularized jejuno combined with Ni-Ti alloy mesh tube were established. Every canine model was marked in cervical skin projecting the lower resected margin of trachea lumen and was injected 50% barium sulfate mucilage as a tracer into the trachea lumen under bronchoscopy. Record the time from tracer injected into trachea lumen to its arriving glottis (mucociliary transit time, MTT) and the length from tracer injected into trachea lumen to glottis (mucociliary transport length, MTL). Mucociliary transit rate (MTR), as MTL/ MTT, was calculated. The same procedure was performed at preoperative and postoperative 7th day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months.

RESULTSThere were statistical significance between preoperative MTR and 1 month postoperative MTR (P < 0.05). There were no differences between preoperative MTR and postoperative MTR at the 7th day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. There were also no differences between postoperative MTR at the 7th day and 1 month, 3 months and 6 months.

CONCLUSIONIn new tracheal tract reconstructed with free jejunum, MTR becomes normal at 3 months postoperatively.