Hydroxylapatite for laryngotracheal framework reconstruction.

Hydroxylapatite plates and rings were employed for reconstruction of the laryngotracheal framework in 12 patients. The cause of the framework defect was surgery for stenosis in nine cases and removal of malignancy in the other three. The trough method associated with a two-stage procedure was tolerated in all 12 cases. Hydroxylapatite plates or rings were used to reconstruct the framework during the second stage. The implant was well taken in all cases, without any infection or rejection. Nine of the 12 cases resulted in excellent airways.