Comparison of omentum, pleura and diaphragm for tracheal autograft survival in rats.

Pleura, diaphragm, pericardial fat pad, intercostal muscles and omentum can be used to protect and revascularize the bronchial suture line. To compare the efficiency of pleura, diaphragm and omentum, an experimental study was designed. Heterotopic tracheal autotransplantation was performed in 15 rats. Animals were divided into three groups; omentum, diaphragm and pleura. Tracheal Segment Necrosis Scoring System was used for pathologic examinations. Pleural and diaphragmatic groups showed the least necrosis and there was significant statistical difference among these groups and omental group (P < 0.05). Our study showed that pleura and diaphragm could be used as safely as omentum for protection and survival of bronchial suture lines.