ObjectiveTo investigate the antibacterial pretreatment protocol for primary fibroblast cell culture from transbronchial biopsies in patients with benign tracheal stenosis (BTS). MethodsFifteen specimens of intratracheal hyperplastic granulation tissue were obtained from 14 BTS patients by transbronchial biopsies. The tissues were divided into 3 groups according to different antibacterial pretreatment with 5 specimens in each group. An usual concentration of antibiotics pretreatment group (group 1) was pretreated by washing with PBS contained 1%-2% penicillin/streptomycin. A high concentration of antibiotics pretreatment group (group 2) was pretreated by washing with PBS contained 6% penicillin/streptomycin. An alchohol and high concentration of antibiotics pretreatment group (group 3) was pretreated by washing with 75% alcohol 3-4 seconds firstly,then by washing with 6% penicillin/streptomycin. After different pretreatment,all tissues were cultured with tissue culture method in the same condition. ResultsThe primary fibroblasts were successfully cultured from the tissue pretreated by method 2 and 3,but not cultured from the tissue pretreated by method 1 with large amount of bacteria. There were significant differences in the furthest radius of cell proliferation between different culture time points in three groups (P<0.01). The differences in the furthest radius of cell proliferation between three groups were not different at 24,48 or 72 h (P>0.05),but were significant between three groups at 96 h (P<0.05). ConclusionAn pretreatment protocol with high concentration of antibiotics or 75% alcohol is feasible in human primary fibroblasts culture from small specimens obtained by transbronchial biopsy.