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Two groups of esophagus graft were done in canine esophagus in 34 adult mongrel dogs. For the first group segmental replacement graft was done with fresh autologous pericardium tube, and for the second, patch graft was done utilizing fresh autologous pericardium, fresh homologous pericardium,and dacron piece. All eight dogs in the first segmental replacement graft group died 2 to 5 days after operation with severe empyema caused by anastomosis disruption. Among 26 patch graft dogs 2 died during operation and 7 died 13 to 18 days after operation. For the 17 long-term patch grafted survivors esophagography and postoperative weight check were done. Postoperative stool was collected and examined for dacron patch excretion. One, two, three, and four months postoperative long-term survivors were sacrificed to obtain specimens in each group respectively and the following observations were made. I. Survival; Autologous pericardium patch group showed no mortality but in homologous pericardium and dacron patch group only two thirds were long-term survivors. II. Postoperative swallowing; There was no case which demonstrated postoperative dysphagia. About half of the cases showed postoperative weight increase and in only 3 cases weight decrease followed operation. III. Dacron patch was excreted in the stool 8 to 23 days after operation. Animals which excreted dacron patch up to 9 days after operation all died of empyema due to anastomosis disruption. IV. Postoperative esophagogram; All esophagograms in each group showed no leakage of barium, no passage disturbances and no remarkable stenotic signs. V. Morphological findings; [A] Macroscopical findings; In one month group specimens of each group dense adhesion with surrounding structures was noted and luminal surface was smooth with contraction of the patched area. In two month groups anastomosis sutures were still exposed but patched area showed lesser abnormality. In three to four months groups sutures were covered completely and patched area showed only very slight signs of contraction. [B] Microscopic findings; In one month group luminal surface of the replaced tissue [transplanted tissue] showed almost complete epithelial covering that is composed of several layers of squamous cells with no evidence of keratinization. Basement membrane was also well distinct throughout. Slight to minimal inflammatory cells comprising of large mononuclears, lymphocytes and plasma cells were observed in the subepithelial fibrous stroma consisted entirely of loose fibrous tissue containing many newly formed capillaries and fibroblastic proliferation. Scattered suture granulomas were found, few of which became acutely inflamed. In two months group repairing process progressed with lesser degree of inflammatory cell infiltration and young capillary proliferation. Fibrous tissue was more matured showing even focal collagenization. Suture granuloma persisted but with lesser reactive changes. Epithelial covering was that of a mature non-keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium. In three and four months groups the replaced area showed essentially similar histological findings. However, subepithelial stroma still consisted entirely of connective tissue without evidence of smooth muscle regeneration. In this group, inflammatory cell infiltration was minimal or negligible. Among these patch materials autologous pericardium group showed the most satisfactory repairing process. The above mentioned results may signify the feasibility of autogenous pericardium patch graft in clinical esophageal surgery.[KTCS 1969;1:168-186]
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