Mechanical capacity of esophagogastric anastomosis at early postoperative stage

The tensile strength of esophagogastric anastomosis was measured in 20 dogs. In case of 32 other animals the preparations were histologically examined, too. Mechanical tolerance was found significant from the 7th postoperative day on, reaching its maximum on the 15th day with no later change. An explanation is sought in the prevalence of the elastic elements growing in direct proportion to the time elapsing after operation. This role of the elastic fibres has not yet been reported in the available literature.