Long-term form and function of neoesophagus after experimental replacement of thoracic esophagus with nitinol composite artificial esophagus.

Attempts were made to observe long-term form and function of neoesophagus with three pigs that survived for more than 42 months after Nitinol composite artificial esophagus replacement. The neoesophagus was shorter in length than resected esophagus (shorten rate 13.9 +/- 3.

Polyester connecting ring improves outcome in nitinol composite artificial esophagus.

In a previous study, we replaced a thoracic esophagus with nitinol composite artificial esophagus. Two major problems of anastomotic leakage and early sloughing of the grafted prostheses were noted. We have developed a new type of nitinol composite artificial esophagus with polyester connecting ring, and in this study, we test the effectiveness of replacing a thoracic esophagus with this new type of tube.