PURPOSE: Experimental work on free muscle transplantation has resulted in some successful clinical applications. After a previous experimental study that established the viability of this procedure on the distal esophagus of the @entity35 , we investigated the antireflux efficacy of free muscle transplantation on the distal esophagus in a @entity354 @entity35 model. METHODS: Two groups of @entity35 were submitted to a reflux-inducing operation. Thirteen animals underwent esophagojejunostomy only (EJ) and fourteen were submitted to esophagojejunostomy plus free muscle transplantation of plantaris on the distal esophagus (ETx). Eight weeks later, the esophagi of survivors were removed after sacrifice (EJ, n = 10; ETx, n = 10) and the macroscopic longitudinal extension (mm) and the histological grade (1-4) of @entity2910 evaluated. RESULTS: All esophageal specimens of both groups had @entity2910 . However, the extent of @entity2910 (median: ETx: 23 vs EJ: 32) and the frequency of high grades of @entity2910 (ETx: 30 % vs. EJ: 100 %) were significantly lower in the ETx group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively). All except one ETx subject presented with an extent and/or a grade of @entity2910 which was less than the EJ subjects' lowest values. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental free muscle transplantation on the distal esophagus seems to have antireflux function, thus its therapeutic implications deserve further investigation. The incomplete efficacy of the procedure may suggest that a putative anatomic sphincter per se is not enough to promote an effective antireflux mechanism.

Antireflux role of free muscle transplantation. Experimental study in a XXXX @entity35 model.

@entity35 :: ('10116', 'Species') :: ['rat', 'Sprague-Dawley rats'] @entity2910 :: ('MESH:D004941', 'Disease') :: ['esophagitis'] @entity354 :: ('MESH:D005764', 'Disease') :: ['reflux esophagitis']
@entity354 :: (MESH:D005764,Disease) :: ['reflux esophagitis']
