An experimental endoscopic technique for reversing gastroesophageal reflux in dogs by injecting inert material in the distal esophagus.

After the lower esophageal sphincters of large mongrel dogs had been made surgically incompetent, the degree of sphincter incompetency was determined by the grade of esophagitis present and the reflux volume. Five dogs were endoscopically injected in the distal esophagus with 5 to 30 ml of Teflon paste during four to six injection sessions, and all five dogs developed transient increases in the reflux volumes. Each of the five dogs sloughed a portion of injected Teflon during the 4-month study. Four additional dogs received between 5 and 105 ml of bovine dermal collagen injected in the distal esophagus. All have reversed their esophagitis and have retained a reflux volume at least 5 times the preinjection value without evidence of slough.