Repair of large airway defects with bioprosthetic materials

This retrospective single institution report examined outcomes of repair of large airway defects with bioprothetic materials.  8 patients underwent repair with aortic homograft or acellular dermal matrix, 5 of whom suffered from airway-enteric fistulae.   Most repairs were buttressed with muscle or omentum.   All airways healed; 2 required debridement of granulation tissue and 1 required dilation.
See also: The search for a long-lasting circumferential tracheal conduit: Belsy’s problem and ours