Only a few windpipe , or trachea , transplants have ever been done . Castillo had no complications from the operation and was discharged from the hospital 10 days later . Transplant given to Claudia Castillo , a 30-year-old Colombian mother of two . Woman 's stem cells used to create cartilage , tissue cells to cover new windpipe . She was born with an undescended larynx and trachea, which means she had no chance at all for survival in the womb.
Only a few windpipe , or trachea , transplants have ever been done . Transplant given to Claudia Castillo , a 30-year-old Colombian mother of two . Woman 's stem cells used to create cartilage , tissue cells to cover new windpipe . She was born with an undescended larynx and trachea, which means she had no chance at all for survival in the womb.