Methods: During the first phase of the study, mesenchymal stem cells were isolated by the primary explant culture technique from the abdominal adipose tissue of rats. When the cells became confluent, they were passaged and characterized by using immunofluorescence staining technique. The cells were cryopreserved for an in vivo application. The rats were divided into four groups, including: the basic fibroblast growth factor (group 1), the mesenchymal stem cells (group 2), the mesenchymal stem cells and basic fibroblast growth factor (group 3) and control group (group 4). The rats were sacrified at day 60 and the anastomosis was evaluated macroscopically for granulation tissue formation, the stenosis and presence of tracheocutaneous fistula formation, and also microscopically for stenosis, epithelium regeneration, inflammation, collagen formation and neovascularization.

Results: The inflammation was significantly lower in the study groups (p=0.004, p=0.014, p=0.004), whereas the collagen formation and epithelial regeneration were significantly higher in the study groups, compared to the control group (p=0.015, p=0.022, p=0.026 and p=0.002, p=0.001, p=0.002).

Conclusion: Both basic fibroblast growth factor and adipose tissuederived mesenchymal stem cells increased epithelial regeneration and connective tissue organization in this rat model. They may be used as an adjuvant therapy to surgical resection in patients undergoing tracheal resection.