Implantation of a pressure cuff around the subphrenic oesophagus.
The possibility of implanting a pressure cuff around the subphrenic oesophagus as a barrier to reflux was tested in six pigs. The oesophagus tolerated cuff pressures from 48 to 95 cmH2O, corresponding to intra-oesophageal pressures from 27 to 75 cmH2O. The pigs with the perioesophageal cuff swallowed a solid diet without difficulty. However, dysphagia occurred in pigs kept alive for more than a month and the main reason was malfunction of the device because of surrounding fibrosis. This problem should be solved before implantation of the device in humans is attempted.
D000818:Animals; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000601:surgery*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000601:surgery*; D011312:Pressure; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D013552:Swine