Efficacy of glutaraldehyde processed aortic allograft for cervical oesophagoplasty in dogs

Experimental cervical oesophagoplasty with glutaraldehyde processed aortic allograft was performed in 12 dogs under general anaesthesia using triflupromazine hydrochloride and thiopentone sodium combination. Hyperalimentation intravenously (Group A) and through pharyngostomy tube (Group B) were employed postoperatively in 6 animals each. Proliferative changes in the vicinity of the graft material and in the perioesophageal tissues were minimum. The grafted site showed a gradual increase in tensile strength, breaking strength, extensibility and energy absorption up to 60^th day postoperatively. But total dilation capacity snowed a marginal decrease on 30^th day. The pattern of healing at the site was characterised by early infiltration of polymorphs and macrophages followed by fibroplasia. Epithelialization was almost complete by 30^th day. Epithelial lining was slightly hyperplastic by 60^th day and lamina propria was devoid of oesophageal glands. Presence of pharyngostomy tube did not affect the healing process.