Evaluation of the Effectiveness of VEGF Effect on the Regeneration of the Anterior Tracheal Surface in the Early Postoperative Period

Background. Violation of the regeneration of the tracheal wall after undergoing reconstructive surgeries remains an urgent problem of modern surgery. One of the reasons for the violation of the regeneration processes is insufficient blood supply to the organ. Finding new ways to improve blood flow is a promising area of research.

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of VEGF effect on the regeneration of the anterior tracheal surface in the early postoperative period.

Materials and methods. The study included 60 male Wistar rats at the age of 10 months. All animals underwent tracheal reconstructive surgery; the animals were divided into three groups: group 1 – without medicinal film, group 2 – with prolonged-release medicinal film, group 3 – with prolonged-release medicinal film containing VEGF. The sampling of histological material was carried out on days 3, 7 and 21 of the study, using morphometry to determine the thickness of the tracheal wall, the thickness of the postoperative scar, the area of the surgical intervention zone, the area of the vessels, the ratio of the thickness of the postoperative scar to the wall thickness trachea and the ratio of the area of the vessels to the area of the surgical intervention zone.

Results. It was revealed that when exposed to a long-acting medicinal film containing VEGF, significant histological changes occurred on day 7 of the study. In groups 1 and 2, healing occurred by day 21 and was accompanied by defects of the mucous membrane and cartilage. On day 7 in group 3, there was a complete epithelialization of the tracheal wall, an increase in the number of newly formed vessels and glands in the area of surgical intervention. Healing was carried out with a thin postoperative scar without defects in all layers of the tracheal wall.

Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the stimulating effect of VEGF on the regeneration of the tracheal wall in the early postoperative period after undergoing reconstructive surgery. The use of VEGF reduces the time of postoperative wound healing and preserves the anatomical structure of the tracheal wall.

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