Η χρήση μεβράνης κολλαγόνου ίππειου περικάρδιου για την αποκατάσταση ελλειμάτων στομάχου

Objective The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of an equine pericardial patch forthe repair of full-thickness defects of the stomach wall.Materials and methods Circular defects of 1.5 cm diameter, on the anterior wall of thestomach of 12 female New Zealand rabbits, were repaired by an equine pericardial patch.After euthanasia at six different time intervals (3 days- 8 weeks) macroscopic evaluation of theabdominal cavity (including adhesion scoring), mechanical testing and histologicalexamination of the stomach were performed.Results All animals survived the operative procedure and had a normal post-operative course,without complications, until euthanasia. None of the patches failed and the abdomen remainedgrossly intact in all cases. Adhesions were observed in all animals and were quite significant in3/12 animals. Bursting pressure testing indicated that the repair was durable and that adequatestrength to prevent local failure was achieved by the second week. Histological examinationshowed gradual narrowing of the perforation site by mucosal and limited muscular regeneration. By the end of the observation period, a well-organized, vascularized, andstructured fibrotic layer had formed on the outside of the patch, which was undergoing slowdegradation.Conclusions The equine pericardial patch was successfully used to repair a gastric defect inour experimental model and it seems that it could have potential as a material suitable forfurther research, concerning repair of upper gastrointestinal defects.