The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2009
Decellularization reduces calcification while improving both durability and 1-year functional results of pulmonary homograft valves in juvenile sheep.
The juvenile sheep functional valve chronic implant calcification model was used to compare long-term calcification rates, functional performance, and durability for 3 types of right ventricular outflow tract implants: classically cryopreserved homografts and 2 decellularized pulmonary valved conduits. ⋯ Cryopreserved-decellularized-glycerolized valves retained normal valve function, with absent leaflet and minimal wall calcifications 1 year postoperatively, as opposed to classically cryopreserved allografts. These results might be predictive of the prolonged durability and functionality of a cryopreserved-decellularized-glycerolized allograft valve.
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The purpose of this report was to discuss a new surgical procedure in treating esophageal stent related large tracheoesophageal fistula without tracheal resection. ⋯ Use of the adjacent esophageal wall as a patch to close a defect on the trachea is a safe procedure with a favorable outcome. It should therefore be recommended as a reliable surgical procedure in treating massive stent-induced tracheoesophageal fistulas and other complicated tracheoesophageal fistulas that tracheal resection could not safely address. However, the esophagus was damaged to a certain degree.