Restoration of Airway Function Using a Patient-Specific Tracheal Implant in a Pilot Project

Challenge

A dog was found in critical condition with extensive trauma to the cervical region, including severe injury to the larynx and trachea, accompanied by multiple additional injuries. As a result of the extensive airway damage, the patient was unable to breathe normally, and survival depended on immediate veterinary intervention. The prognosis was highly uncertain, and the patient required multiple surgical procedures.

Solution

The patient’s treatment involved a multidisciplinary collaboration between Explicell s.r.o., the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement at the Technical University of Košice, and the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice.

To restore airway function, patient-specific tracheal implants, including both a temporary adaptation implant and a definitive implant, were designed to replace the damaged structures and maintain adequate airway patency throughout the healing process.

Considering the biological and biomechanical requirements of the surrounding tissues, a biodegradable material was selected for the implant. The material provided the necessary mechanical support during tissue regeneration and was designed to gradually degrade thereafter, eliminating the need for a subsequent surgical removal procedure.

Results

Following surgical reconstruction, the patient’s condition progressively improved. The implants enabled restoration of normal respiration and supported the gradual recovery of essential physiological functions. During the rehabilitation period, the patient adapted to breathing through the natural airway, overall health continued to improve, and normal behavior patterns, including vocalization, gradually returned.

The successful reconstruction created the foundation for further rehabilitation and significantly increased the prospects for a full return to an active and healthy life.

Significance of Personalized Manufacturing

This case demonstrates the potential of personalized medical solutions in veterinary medicine. The integration of veterinary surgery, biomedical engineering, and additive manufacturing enabled the development of a treatment tailored to the patient’s specific anatomical defect.

The patient-specific approach provided a viable alternative in a situation where conventional therapeutic options were severely limited. Furthermore, the project highlights the potential of customized biodegradable implants for the treatment of complex airway defects and other challenging reconstructive conditions in veterinary practice.

Source: Príbeh kruto týraného psíka Balua chytil ľudí za srdce. Má sa lepšie aj vďaka dobrým ľuďom, FOTO, Dnes24.sk, 16. 6. 2019.