title: Piglet model for studying esophageal regrowth after resection and interposition of a silicone stented small intestinal submucosa tube.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the use and subsequent healing of a silicone stented small intestinal submucosa (SIS) tube as a full-circumference replacement following surgical resection of the esophagus in piglets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three centimeters of the intrathoracic esophagus was replaced with a silicone stented SIS tube (Cook Medical) in 6 growing piglets. The esophageal stent was retained for 4 weeks. Esophageal dilations were performed, if needed, after stent removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The piglets were sacrificed 1-17 weeks after surgery. Recurrent dilations were needed after stent removal. Histology showed that the gap between the resection margins was filled with new loose connective tissue consisting of fibroblasts and few inflammatory cells. In this tissue, intense angiogenesis was seen at the early time points, which then gave way to the proliferation of immature-looking smooth-muscle-like cells in the submucosa, which appeared to stem from the pericytes of the ingrowing capillaries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Through using a stented SIS tube as a circumferential esophageal replacement in a piglet model, this study suggests that pericytes from ingrowing capillaries may play a role in the remodeling of the SIS mesh. It remains to be seen if this process gives a favorable end result because stricture formation after stent removal remains a problem.
authors: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden. linus.jonsson @ vgregion.se
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Jönsson
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Gatzinsky
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Jennische
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Johansson
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Nannmark
authors: L G
authors: LG
authors: Friberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004944:Esophagoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000637:transplantation*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000637:transplantation; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D023421:Models, Animal; D012038:Regeneration; D012828:Silicones; D015607:Stents; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones