TY - JOUR T1 - An ambulant porcine model of acid reflux used to evaluate endoscopic gastroplasty JF - Gut JO - Gut SP - 782 LP - 788 DO - 10.1136/gut.44.6.782 VL - 44 IS - 6 AU - S S Kadirkamanathan AU - E Yazaki AU - D F Evans AU - C C Hepworth AU - F Gong AU - C P Swain Y1 - 1999/06/01 UR - http://gut.bmj.com/content/44/6/782.abstract N2 - BACKGROUND There is a lack of suitable models for testing of therapeutic procedures for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Endoscopic sewing methods might allow the development of a new less invasive surgical approach to treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.AIMS To develop an animal model of gastro-oesophageal reflux for testing the efficacy of a new antireflux procedure, endoscopic gastroplasty, performed at flexible endoscopy without laparotomy or laparoscopy.METHODS At endoscopy a pH sensitive radiotelemetry capsule was sewn to the oesophageal wall, 5 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter, in six large white pigs. Ambulant pH recordings (48–96 hours; total 447 hours) were obtained. The median distal oesophageal pH was 6.8 (range 6.4–7.3); pH was less than 4 for 9.3% of the time. After one week, endoscopic gastroplasty was performed by placing sutures below the gastro-oesophageal junction, forming a neo-oesophagus of 1–2 cm in length. Postoperative manometry and pH recordings (24–96 hours; total 344 hours) were carried out.RESULTS Following gastroplasty, the median sphincter pressure increased significantly from 3 to 6 mm Hg and in length from 3 to 3.75 cm. The median time pH was less than 4 decreased significantly from 9.3% to 0.2%.CONCLUSIONS These are the first long term measurements of oesophageal pH in ambulant pigs. The finding of spontaneous reflux suggested a model for studying treatments of reflux. Endoscopic gastroplasty increased sphincter pressure and length and decreased acid reflux.GORgastro-oesophageal refluxGORDgastro-oesophageal reflux diseaseLOSlower oesophageal sphincter ER -