During the past two decades experimental and clinical trials yielded valuable information concerning tracheal reconstruction with grafts and prostheses.1-46 A completely satisfactory method for replacement of a resected length of trachea, however, is yet to be realized.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of lyophilized (freezedried) tracheal homografts (Fig. 1), with and without tantalum mesh support (Fig. 2), and of fresh autogenous split-thickness skin grafts supported with tantalum mesh