Model of Wound Healing for Esophagogastric Anastomoses in Rats

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Anastomotic leakage after esophageal surgery is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Postoperative leakage of esophagogastric anastomosis has been reported in 2–30% of surgical patient, resulting in an increased need for reoperation and a high risk of subsequent esophageal stricture formation and fistula. So far, experimental investigations on major factors influencing the healing of esophageal anastomoses, e.g. neovascularization and collagen deposition, have been hindered by the lack of a functional rodent model. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We developed a novel technique of gastric tube formation followed by e…