Fm. Akgur et al., THE VALUE OF PERITONEAL-FLUID HYPOXANTHINE BESIDES LACTIC-ACID IN DETECTION OF THE VASCULAR COMPROMISE OF INTESTINE, European journal of pediatric surgery, 3(2), 1993, pp. 72-74
Hypoxanthine has been shown to be a sensitive and more specific measur
e of hypoxia than lactate in several body fluids other than peritoneal
fluid. An experimental study was conducted to determine the value of
peritoneal fluid hypoxanthine besides lactic acid levels in detecting
vascular compromise of the intestine. Thirty male guinea pigs were div
ided in 3 groups each containing 10 animals. Groups comprised of sham
operation control, simple intestinal obstruction and intestinal obstru
ction with vascular compromise. Lactic acid and hypoxanthine levels we
re determined in peritoneal lavage effluents. Peritoneal fluid lactic
acid levels increased after 4 hours of intestinal obstruction with vas
cular compromise (p < 0.01) but not in simple intestinal obstruction a
nd sham operation control groups. No detectable amount of hypoxanthine
could be found in any of the fluid samples. It is concluded that unli
ke in other body fluids hypoxanthine is not present in peritoneal flui
d and does not become evident after vascular compromise of the intesti
ne.