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This is a project of the Research Group on Minimally Invasive Techniques of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The University of Zaragoza has published on the citizen participation platform Precipita a project by the Research Group on Minimally Invasive Techniques (GITMI) on tracheal collapse with the aim of expanding a clinical trial - which began more than a year ago - and its follow-up to obtain more reliable results.
So far, 7 canine patients have been recruited with a current follow-up of 16 months, but the objective is to recruit 15 more patients and in this way increase the reliability of the study and be able to transfer the results to human medicine, covering both fields simultaneously, medicine veterinary and pediatric medicine.
The GITMI researchers participate in this project led by Dr. Carolina Serrano, professor of the Department of Animal Pathology of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and affirm that the new prosthesis with which they are working, known as CasMin Twine, combines the advantages of surgery minimally invasive and tries to solve the complications present, the institution reports in a press release.
Thanks to its helical design, it allows a novel way of placement, leaving the prosthesis fixed, completely avoiding migration, it is recoverable, it has a lower risk of breakage and, consequently, the appearance of intraluminal overgrowth.
Its simple morphology adapts to the anatomy of the trachea, moving with it in respiratory cycles and reducing the amount of metal in contact with the tissue.
The implantation of these prostheses is a quick procedure with fewer possibilities of short-term complications compared to open surgery.
In addition, it aims to resolve the complications that arise with classic metal prostheses such as migration, stent fracture, mucus accumulation, infection or overgrowth of intraluminal tissue due to foreign body reaction.
Tracheal collapse is a pathology whose alternative to lifelong medical treatment consists of placing metal or plastic prostheses inside the trachea, which keep its lumen open.
The pathology consists of a softening of the cartilage of the trachea that causes it to become a flaccid structure unable to remain open instead of a "rigid tube."
In this way, air circulation through it is prevented and therefore respiratory difficulty that can become incompatible with life.
In the case of humans, it is a congenital problem that affects children. Over time, the cartilage acquires its normal consistency, but in the meantime, a growing trachea must be kept open, which is why it is necessary to place plastic prostheses of different sizes that adapt to the rapid growth of the patient.
To achieve this goal, it is necessary to use plastic prostheses. However, they present numerous complications, among which are: migration, accumulation of mucus, infection and/or reduction of the free tracheal lumen.
In the case of animals, dogs are the species where this problem is most observed, but unlike in humans, it is a common disease that usually appears in older animals and is a degenerative process that worsens over time.
