[Reflux esophagitis in an experimental model. Are the systemic consequences attributable to the esophagitis?]

The esophagojejunostomy model of reflux esophagitis has been shown to cause nutritional deterioration and alterations of hematologic parameters. However, these disturbances have been assumed rather than proved to be the consequence of esophagitis. Little attention has been paid to the anatomical and physiological alterations related to the reflux-inducing operation. We produced reflux esophagitis by an end-to-side esophagojejunostomy (EJ) in Sprague-Dawley rats. These rats were compared to a second group with a similar operation not leading to reflux esophagitis (Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy, R-Y). Sham operated animals were used as controls. Erosive esophagitis was produced in all but one of the EJ subjects at day 14, and in none of the R-Y animals. Significant weight loss (-21.7%), anemia (HCT, -17.3%) and hypoproteinemia (-14.2%) were seen in EJ model with respect to sham group. However, a similar variation of weight (-28.7%) and hematocrit (-26.2%) were also found in Y-R group; therefore, these parameters seemed to correlate more with the surgical challenge itself than with the esophagitis.