title: Effect of cauterizing esophageal mucosa in "double-patch" treatment for acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistula/bronchogastric stump fistula.
abstract: The management of acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and bronchogastric stump fistula (BGSF) is a challenge. This study aimed to assess the "double-patch" technique with or without esophageal mucosa in treating nonmalignant TEF and BGSF.
  
  
  
  We established a dog model with TEF by incising the esophageal and tracheal membranes and suturing them together. The dogs were divided into three groups (n = 12 per group). Groups A and B received a double-patch 7 d later. The esophageal mucosa of the patches was cauterized in the group A dogs, kept intact in group B dogs, and group C dogs did not receive surgical intervention. Tissue healing was measured using hydroxyproline levels.
  
  
  
  Morphologic and histopathologic changes of the esophagus were assessed by gross observation of the specimens, hematoxylin and eosin staining, tracheal stenosis index, and hydroxyproline levels. On day 56 after surgery, group A showed a tracheal stenosis index comparable with that of group C (0.140 ± 0.009 versus 0.138 ± 0.014, P = 1.00), whereas group B showed a higher stenosis index (0.170 ± 0.007) than group C (P = 0.029). The hydroxyproline levels were higher in group A than in B and C on day 7 (P = 0.029), and this difference was statistically significant on days 14 and 56 (all P < 0.001).
  
  
  
  The use of an esophageal "double-patch" technique without mucosa showed faster and more stable recovery than patches with mucosa in the repair of acquired nonmalignant complicated TEF and BGSF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Yong-An
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China; Department of General Surgery, No. 291 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Baotou, China.
authors.forename: Guang-Zhen
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Miao
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. Electronic address: wjtm1976@163.com.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. Electronic address: lixiaofeits@126.com.
authors.forename: Xiao-Fei
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. Electronic address: yanxiaolong558@126.com.
authors.forename: Xiao-Long
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004285:Dogs; D000071041:Esophageal Mucosa / Q000601:surgery*; D005747:Gastric Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000097:blood; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D006909:Hydroxyproline
keywords: Animals; Bronchogastric stump fistula; Dogs; Double-patch; Mucosa; Tracheoesophageal fistula