The effects of mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil/triamcinolone on fibrosis/scar tissue formation secondary to subglottic trauma (experimental study)

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of mitomycin-C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil/triamcinolone acetonide (5-FU/TA) on the development of fibrosis/scar tissue formation of rabbit subglottic area, which is injured acutely. Materials and methods: After standardized trauma to subglottic area the rabbits were divided into those that received treatment and those that did not (controls). The subjects were treated with either topical 0.4 mg/mL MMC or 5 mg 5-FU/TA injection. Those groups were further divided into subgroups depending on the time of examination: at 2 or 6 weeks. Each subgroup had 4 rabbits. The specimens were examined histopathologically and the measurements were performed using a software. Results: The fibrosis indices (FIs) of the treated subgroups were significantly less than the FIs of their corresponding control subgroups (P < .05), The difference in FIs of the MMC-treated and 5-FU/TA-treated groups was not statistically significant (P > .05). MMC and 5-FU/TA did not interfere with regeneration of the epithelium although in 2 cases treated with 5-FU/TA the regenerated epithelium showed squamous metaplasia. Conclusions: Both MMC and 5-FU/TA decrease fibrosis/scar tissue formation secondary to experimentally induced acute subglottic trauma. There is no significant difference between the effects of the 2 drugs. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.