Comparison of non-porous versus porous polyurethane tubes for the replacement of cervical esophagus in rabbits

Abstract

[한글]

[영문]This study is intended to reveal the biocompatibility of polyurethane (PU) tubes for esophageal replacement and to determine which type of PU is ideal for artificial esophagus in combination with various materials using a rabbit model. Porous and non-porous PU tubes were investigated alone and in combination with small intestinal submucosa acellular matrix or polyethylene glycol. Two-centimeter long cervical esophagi were replaced by each type of artificial esophagus in 28 rabbits. Status of stenosis, infection, and survival were scored after 2 weeks. Stenosis scores of porous PU groups (mean=6.3) were higher than non-porous PU groups (mean=4.6). Infection was more prevalent in porous PU groups than non-porous PU groups. If the polyethylene glycol grafted group is excluded, the score of the porous PU group (mean=2) was higher than the non-porous PU groups (mean=0.5). The survival score was lower in porous PU groups (mean=2.6) than in non-porous PU groups (mean=3.6). Outcomes of porous PU with polyethylene glycol grafted groups were similar to non-porous PU based groups. In conclusion, the non-porous PU tube was superior to porous PU tubes for the prevention of stenosis and infection in esophageal replacement. Polyethylene glycol grafted porous PU tube also showed good outcomes similar to those of non-porous PU tubes.