title: Endoscopic prosthesis augmentation of the lower esophageal sphincter in swine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endoscopically delivered prostheses are safe, durable, and may augment a defective lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pigs were studied as normal-LES or LES-weakened animals. A novel endoscopic delivery system was developed in order to place multiple hydrogel prostheses into the LES submucosa. Histopathology sections evaluated ultimate durability and the relationship of the prostheses to esophageal anatomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 97% of 179 prosthesis delivery attempts were successful. LES-weakened animals had LES pressures return to normal or supranormal values at 2 weeks and 2 months after prosthesis augmentation. Weakened gastric yield pressures improved to normal values at 2 weeks after prosthesis augmentation. The thickness of the muscular layers and the mucosal integrity of the esophagus was unaffected by the retained prostheses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopically delivered hydrogel prostheses are safe and durable. These prostheses can successfully augment a defective sphincter without recognizable damage to the esophagus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., #0987, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. Deaster@vcsd.edu
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Easter
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yurek
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Summers
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008365:Manometry; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate