silicon and Esophageal-Atresia

The influence of an indwelling transanastomotic silicon tube on healing esophageal anastomosis in puppies was studied by making resin casts of the reconstructed esophagus. These casts demonstrated stenosis but no difference in the group with a transanastomotic tube was seen. Stenotic index of the puppies varied from 0.7 to 0.97 (no stenosis = 1). An important observation made during the study was the presence of shelfing of scar tissue on the posterior esophageal wall. This was the site of mucosal ulceration, granuloma formation, and fibrous scarring where interrupted 0000 silk knots had been tied intraluminally. The anterior wall had a linear scar, where the knots were tied extraluminally. Extraluminal knots would be part of the technique to achieve a minimal amount of scar tissue at the site of the esophageal anastomosis.

Topics: Animals; Casts, Surgical; Dogs; Esophageal Atresia; Esophageal Stenosis; Esophagus; Intubation; Models, Biological; Resins, Plant; Silicon; Sutures