Development of a decellularized hypopharynx with vascular pedicle scaffold for use in reconstructing hypopharynx.

Background: Hypopharynx reconstruction after hypopharyngectomy is still a great challenge. Perfusion decellularization is for extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolding and had been used in organ reconstruction. Our study aimed to prepare an acellular, natural, three‐dimensional biological hypopharynx with vascular pedicle scaffold as the substitute materials to reconstruct hypopharynx. Result: Scanning electron microscope and histology staining showed that the decellularized hypopharynx with vascular pedicle scaffold retained intact native anatomical ECM structure. Myoblasts were observed on the recellularized scaffolds with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by 5‐azacytidine implanted in the rabbit greater omentum by immunohistochemical analysis. Conclusion: The decellularized hypopharynx with vascular pedicle scaffold prepared by detergent perfusion in our study has a potential to be an alternative material to pharynx reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]