Table 1.

Expression in pixels of the different ECM proteins in all study groups prior to surgery and at the end of the study. Values are expressed as the mean ± SEM of pixels quantified in the entire sample circumference. Group I = control; group II = hyaluronic acid; group III = collagen-PVP; group IV = mixture of hyaluronic acid+collagen-PVP; group V = mitomycin C.

Study groups	Decorin	MMP1	MMP9
Presurgery	137118 ± 23010	136610 ± 28434	292501 ± 69240
Group I (control)	164822 ± 39279	253198 ± 47942	412707 ± 107480
Group II (hyaluronic acid)	172117 ± 23980	345276 ± 63589	368170 ± 98770
Group III (collagen-PVP)	188993 ± 15640∗	410434 ± 63943	354796 ± 102972
Group IV (hyaluronic acid+collagen-PVP)	195018 ± 18700∗	412962 ± 68986	351743 ± 71051
Group V (mitomycin C)	156037 ± 25110	619117 ± 32243∗∗	379062 ± 127044

Expression based on pixel analysis of decorin, MMP1, and MMP9 postresection and end-to-end anastomosis of trachea, presurgery, and after treatment with different wound healing modulators. Mean ± SEM. ^∗p < 0.01: ANOVA, Dunnett, and Tukey. Groups III and IV vs. presurgery and groups I and V. ^∗∗p < 0.003: ANOVA, Dunnett, and Tukey. Group V vs. presurgery and groups II and III.