Dr. Velayati indicated that this artificial trachea is mostly useful for patients with destruction and stenosis of trachea, including war victims and patients with prolong intubation. He added that this tissue is made of the patients’ own tissue, has a structure exactly like a natural tissue and that it is devoid of additional cells. This tissue is produced inside the patients’ body and is subsequently transplanted to his trachea after production.

Dr. Zali stated that “…We have been able to production trachea and its cartilage, using tissue engineering technique, for the first time in the world…” 
Dr.Masjedi expressed his feelings by noting:…Today is a day of pride for the medical society and after 10 years of challenging work , Dr. Ghanavi and his colleagues have revolutionized the future of pulmonary and related diseases. Artificial trachea has been production for the first time and it is hoped that this advance will open new horizons in an international scope and in the near future we hope to be able to perform this operation not only on animals but also on human beings…”

Regarding the process of production Dr. Ghanavi explained that initially trachea is harvested from cadaver, subsequently the cells inside are destructed and during two stages the patients’ own tracheal cells are grown on the cell free structure using the vascularity and nutritional capabilities of the peritoneum. After completion of growth and development, which usually happens after 6 months, this new tissue is transplanted instead of the destructed trachea of the patient. He also added that this tissue is even microscopically similar to the original tissue of trachea.

 

 

 

 

 

This procedure has been performed on 6 sheep and has been successful in the last 4 of them. It is intended to be performed on human beings in the near future.