The feasibility of gamma radiation sterilization for decellularized tracheal grafts.

Objectives/hypothesis: The most promising stem cell-derived tracheal transplantation approach is dependent upon the use of decellularized tracheal grafts. It has been assumed that a sterilization step, such as gamma radiation, would damage the delicate extracellular matrix of the graft, thus rendering it less viable for cellular repopulation, although this has not been thoroughly investigated.

Study Design: Laboratory-based comparative analysis.