Unsuccessful alloplastic esophageal replacement with porcine small intestinal submucosa.

In general, there is no perfect method for esophageal replacement under consideration of the numerous associated risks and complications. The aim of this study was to examine a new material--small intestinal submucosa (SIS)--in alloplastic esophageal replacement. We implanted tubular SIS prosthesis about 4 cm in length in the cervical esophagus of 14 piglets (weight 9-13 kg).