Bile Reflux and the Gastric Mucosa: An Experimental Ferret Model

To study the effects of chronic bile reflux on the mammalian gastric mucosa, the ferret model was chosen for its practical aptitude and for its similarity to human gastric anatomy and physiology. A technique was first perfected for endoscopically directed gastric mucosal biopsy in the ferret. Subsequently, a surgical model of maximal enterogastric reflux (MR) and a control model of minimal reflux or "nonreflux" (NR) were developed. A stable population of 9 MR and 9 NR ferrets surviving 1-3 years has been established. All 18 animals, plus 6 nonoperative control animals, have undergone multiple repeat endoscopy and gastric biopsy without complication. The surgical and endoscopic techniques, with preliminary findings, are described.