BIOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ESOPHAGUS DAMAGED BY ENDOSCOPIC SCLEROTHERAPY - AN IMPEDANCE PLANIMETRIC STUDY IN MINIPIGS

Background: The aims of the present study were to evaluate, by means o f impedance planimetry, regional differences in biomechanical properti es in the normal oesophagus and the oesophagus damaged by sclerotherap y. Methods: Four minipigs underwent a weekly session of sclerotherapy for 4 weeks. Impedance planimetry was performed before the first sessi on of sclerotherapy and 1 week after the last session of sclerotherapy . Investigations were performed by stepwise pressure-induced balloon d istensions with concomitant measurements of pressure and luminal cross -sectional area (CSA) in the oesophagus 5 and 10 cm above the gastro-o esophageal junction (GEJ). Results: The normal oesophagus had signific antly larger CSAs 5 cm than 10 cm above the GEJ (P < 0.05). Endoscopic sclerotherapy entailed an inversion (P < 0.05) of the normal oesophag eal configuration, with narrowing 5 cm above the GEJ (P < 0.05) and in creased CSAs 10 cm above the GEJ (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Regional dif ferences in CSA occur in the normal oesophagus, and sclerotherapy prod uces profound changes in the oesophageal configuration.