Background: The extra-anatomical position of a cervical oesophagogastrostom
y might be a reason for impaired anastomotic healing.
Methods: This hypothesis was tested in a rat model. Jejunal resection with
an end-to-end jejunojejunostomy was placed intra-abdominally in group 1 (n
= 24) and subcutaneously in group 2 (n = 30). Jejunum without anastomosis w
as placed subcutaneously in group 3 (n = 12). After 3, 7 or 14 days the rat
s were killed; the bursting pressure of the anastomosis or jejunum was meas
ured and the hydroxyproline level was determined.
Results: Two of 24 rats in group 1 and eight of 30 in group 2 died followin
g anastomotic leakage (P not significant) and were excluded from other meas
urements. Bursting pressure was decreased after 3 days in group 1 (mean(s.e
.) 62(10) mmHg) and group 2 (57(10) mmHg) compared with that in group 3 (20
4(17) mmHg) (P < 0.001). After 7 days, it was in the normal range in group
1 (200(14) mmHg), but lower in group 2 (104(15) mmHg) compared with that in
group 3 (230(8) mmHg) (P < 0.001), Differences in hydroxyproline levels we
re not statistically significant between the groups after 3, 7 and 14 days.
Conclusion: Healing of jejunojejunostomies is impaired in an extraperitonea
l position compared with an intra-abdominal position.