Experimental Esophagitis Model Preventing Tracheal Aspiration.

BACKGROUND: Corrosive esophagitis injuries are a serious clinical problem with many agents used for diagnosis and treatment. Experimental esophagus burn models use a method described mainly in studies by Gehanno and Guedon, and modified by Liu and Richardson.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe a new esophagitis model that prevents tracheal aspiration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study we used 16 Wistar albino rats weighing between 220-240 g. The experimental animals were randomly divided into two groups: the model group (group M, n: 8) and control group (group C, n: 8). The necessary anesthesia was administered. Passing through a median laparotomy incision, the abdomen was entered and in group M and C the esophagus was freed and held by a suture at the gastroesophageal junction. After this procedure, about 1 cm proximal to the gastroesophageal junction, the esophagus was suspended by a suture. The esophagus segment between the two sutures was exposed to 0.1 mL 10% NaOH in group M and 0.1 mL saline in group C for 20 s. Ten days later all experimental animals were sacrificed and their esophagus removed. After dying with hematoxylin and eosine trichrome, the histopathological evaluation results for the rats in all groups were investigated with a light microscope.

RESULTS: Histopathological examination indicated submucosal collagen increase, damage to muscularis mucosa and tunica muscularis and collagen deposition. In the model group, the rats had high neutrophils and tissue damage accompanied by necrosis. In the control group, the rats had minimal or no tissue damage and fibrosis was not observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Our procedure is relatively less invasive and easy to apply with corrosive esophagitis only in the required region, and at the same time treatment medications can be easily administered.