Fig. 1

Second epithelial cell sheet transplantation in subject 1. A Endoscopic image of the transplanted area approximately 3 weeks (23 days) after the first epithelial cell sheet transplantation. The first EBD after transplantation was performed on the same day. B Contrast esophagography during EBD. Arrows indicate the stenotic area. The balloon was filled with contrast at 1 atm of internal pressure. C Enlarged image of the esophageal stenosis. The dotted line on the left side is approximately 34.6 mm, and the right side is 20.8 mm. D Endoscopic image immediately after the second cell sheet transplantation. The cell sheet was transplanted in the mucosal defect area indicated by the dotted line. E Macroscopic view of the resected postoperative anastomotic stenosis of esophageal atresia (right: mouth side, left: stomach side). F Histology of the stenotic region surrounded by the white line in Fig. 1E. The submucosal layer was thickened with fibrotic tissue (HE staining, upper panel). In the area between the dotted lines, a lack of continuity of the muscle layer was observed (desmin staining, middle panel). In the area enclosed by the dotted line, an accumulation of myofibroblasts was observed in the submucosa of the smooth muscle defect (α-SMA staining, lower panel). Scale bar is 2 mm