Intra-operative pulse oximetry can help determine intestinal viability

The intra-operative assessment of intestinal viability when dealing with is chaemic bowel remains a challenge. Reliable healing of small-bowel anastomo ses, using pulse oximetry to exclude critical ischaemia. has been shown in the canine model. In this study, intra-operative pulse oximetry (PO) was us ed to help determine intestinal viability 48 h after de-torsion of a volvul us. Approximately one-half of the ischaemic, volved bowel was able to be pr eserved. Intraoperative PO can thus help preserve bowel of doubtful viabili ty.