Published in:
01-04-2016 | Original Article
A reliable animal model to simulate benign esophageal strictures in children
Published in: Esophagus | Issue 2/2016
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Background
Benign esophageal strictures are common among children, especially children under 5 years of age. There is no standard treatment for refractory benign esophageal stricture, and it is quite challenging to care for children. The aim of this research is to establish an animal model of benign esophageal stricture with a custom balloon catheter, offering a cornerstone for exploring effective treatment methods.
Methods
12 rabbits were divided into the injury group and the control group. The sodium hydroxide or normal saline was given to the injury and control groups using a 12 F single catheter with two separated balloons under fluoroscopy monitoring, respectively, keeping for 40 s before the liquid was eliminated. After the operation, follow-up examinations evaluated the rabbits’ daily diet consumption, body weight, and behavior changes. All rabbits were killed on the 28th day, and the morphological and histological features were recorded.
Results
Radiological and histological examinations revealed that esophageal stricture had been induced successfully in the injury group. The esophageal diameter of the injury group decreased more than 50 %, and the damage score of it was higher than the control’s. Moreover, the ratio between the residual lumen area and total esophageal cross-sectional area was lower in the injury group.
Conclusions
Benign esophageal stricture can be established successfully with our custom balloon catheter. This technique simplifies the procedure and makes the degree and area of stenosis easy to control.