Anatomy and vascular perfusion territories of the superior thyroid artery in Macaca mulatta

Objective: Currently, methods used to repair long segment tracheal stenosis are unreliable. Here, a new nonhuman primate model of tracheal transplantation is used based on its evolutionary proximity to humans. Study Design: Prospective dye perfusion study in Macaca mulatta. Methods: After anatomical characterization, Evan's blue solution was injected into the right superior thyroid artery unilaterally (n = 5). Staining of the tracheal vasculature was then examined. Results: In M mulatta, the superior thyroid artery branched from the lingual-facial trunk and was 0.64 ± 0.18 mm in diameter. Dye staining was bilateral, with the ipsilateral side extending to 2.98 ± 0.58 cm and the contralateral to 2.88 ± 0.88 cm, 12.9 ± 3.45 rings (47% of trachea). Conclusions: The tracheal vasculature has extensive bilateral collateral vascular channels that may provide a graft survival advantage. Macaques may serve as a good model of tracheal transplantation because of the collateral vascularization of the trachea and the extensive tracheal segment supplied by the superior thyroid artery, and because the superior thyroid artery and vein are anastomosable.