INTRAOPERATIVE DETERMINATION OF INTESTINAL VIABILITY BY PULSE OXIMETRY

The utility of transserosal photoplethysmographic pulse oximetry (PO) to assess intestinal viability intraoperatively was evaluated using an experimental canine model. Comparisons of PO were made with continuou s-wave Doppler ultrasound (CWDU) and fluorescein (FL) using histopatho logic examination for control. Clinical examination estimates were inc luded for reference. Four 20 cm portions of small bowel from each of f our dogs were made ischemic by mesenteric ligation. Thus 320 individua l 1 cm bower segments were studied by means of PO, CWDU, FL, and contr ol histologic grading for ischemia. Statistical analysis revealed no s ignificant differences, with PO matching CWDU and FL in intraoperative assessment of small bowel viability. PO, which is readily available i n most operating rooms, is a simpler method than CWDU or FL for assess ing intestinal viability. This technique is operator independent, easy to interpret and repeat, and is well tolerated. PO is the preferred a lternative for objective intraoperative assessment of intestinal viabi lity.