Experimental studies on an artificial esophagus using a collagen-silicone copolymer.

An artificial esophagus consisting of a collagen-silicone copolymer prepared by special chemical and physical procedures proved to be advantageous by both physical and histological examination. The adherence to the host tissue was satisfactory when collagen was used. The esophageal prosthesis was anastomosed to the jejunum in 5 dogs and no leakage occurred during 10-30 days. In subsequent experiments, use of the artificial prosthesis in the thoracic esophagus was followed by leakage in 5 of 14 cases (35 per cent). Five of these dogs survived for over 30 days, and the longest survival was 212 days. The incidence of leakage was acceptable but stricture was a common long-term complication. Further studies are underway to refine the prosthesis, the method of anastomosis, and post-operative management.