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Best of Scientific Oral Presentations

Laryngology/Broncho-Esophagology

Session: Best of Scientific Orals 1

Quantitative Evaluation of Ciprofloxacin-Dexamethasone in a Novel Animal Model of Subglottic and Tracheostomy-Related Stenosis

Sunday, October 12, 2025

1:18 PM - 1:24 PM EDT

Location: 120

Introduction: Airway injuries may result in acquired stenosis, yet effective models for evaluating therapeutic interventions remain limited. Ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone may be used topically or inhaled via nebulizer to manage airway stenosis, but its therapeutic effects have not been rigorously evaluated. This study is designed to establish a reproducible rabbit model of airway injury with resultant mixed structural and mucosal airway stenosis, in an effort to quantify the effects of nebulized ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone in reducing airway stenosis.

Methods: Eighteen rabbits underwent open airway surgery, where a 1 cm longitudinal incision was created along the anterior tracheal wall in the superior cervical trachea. A nylon brush was then passed into the lumen to mechanically injure the mucosa cranial to the incision. Nine rabbits received inhaled nebulized ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone (2 mL/day for 4 days followed by 1 mL/day for 11 days), while nine served as untreated controls. Three weeks post-injury, tracheas were harvested, and CT imaging was performed. Lumen area was measured using ImageJ software.

Results: All 18 rabbits developed significant airway stenosis confined to the injured region, demonstrating the reproducibility and reliability of this model. Rabbits in the treatment group showed reduced mucosal and structural stenosis compared to untreated controls. Histological analysis revealed attenuated mucosal inflammation and structural remodeling in ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone treated rabbits.

Conclusions: This novel open surgical model reliably induces both mucosal and structural airway stenosis, offering precise control over the injury site and severity. Additionally, this study provides the first quantitative evidence of therapeutic potential for nebulized ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone, revealing an attenuation in both mucosal inflammation and structural narrowing. This model represents a valuable platform for the preclinical evaluation of airway stenosis treatments.

Presenting Author(s)

TP

Travis Peng

MD/PhD Candidate
The Feinstein Institute for Medical research
Queens, NY, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

TP

Travis Peng

MD/PhD Candidate
The Feinstein Institute for Medical research
Queens, NY, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
PS

Pooja N. Swami, MS

Research Associate
The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
Manhasset, NY, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Rachel J. Kaye, MD

Associate Professor
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Newark, New Jersey, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
SK

Seth E. Kaplan, MD

Assistant Professor; Attending Physician
Northwell Health - Lenox Hill Hospital
New york, NY, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Matthew I. Saleem, BS

Medical Student
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Hempstead, New York, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
PS

Patrick Scheffler, MD

Dr.
Phoenix Children's Hospital
Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
DG

Daniel A. Grande, Jr., PhD

Professor, Director of Orthopaedic Research Laboratory
The Feinstein Institute for Medical research
Manhasset, NY, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Lee P. Smith, MD

Chief, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology
Northwell Health
New Hyde Park, NY, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Senior Author(s)

Lee P. Smith, MD

Chief, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology
Northwell Health
New Hyde Park, NY, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.