Esophageal Anastomosis In Piglets: Histologic and Microangiographic Aspects of the Early Phases of Healing

Abstract

The healing process in esophageal clamp anastomosis in piglets was studied histologically and microangiographically in the early postoperative period. Histologic evidence suggested progressive atrophic changes in the mucosa apposed to the clamp and signs of inflammatory reaction. The vascularization at the anasto-motic site was essentially undisturbed after 4, 8 and 14 postoperative days. Our results suggest that pressure from the clamp causes mucosal atrophy leading to infection and subsequent stricture formation.