Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Intraoperative assessment of microperfusion with visible light spectroscopy in esophageal and colorectal anastomoses
A Karliczek1, D A Benaron, P C Baas
1Departments of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Background:
We evaluated the technical feasibility and stability of measurements using visible light spectroscopy to measure microvascular oxygen saturation (StO(2)) in gastrointestinal anastomoses.
Methods:
In consecutive esophageal (n = 14) or colorectal (n = 30) resections, during which an uncomplicated anastomosis was performed, measurements of serosal StO(2) were performed during the procedure.
Results:
In esophageal resections, median (+/- standard error) StO(2) was stable before and after anastomosis in the proximal esophagus (before: 66.0 +/- 4.6, after: 68.3 +/- 6.0%) and the gastric conduit (before: 70.6 +/- 8.6, after: 69.8 +/- 8.0%). Mean colorectal StO(2) before and after anastomosis increased in the proximal part (71.3 +/- 8.4 to 76.6 +/- 8.2%; p < 0.005). Mean StO(2) in the distal part remained stable (72.4 +/- 6.6 to 74.8 +/- 6.7%).
Conclusions:
Visible light spectroscopy is a feasible and fast method for intraoperative assessment of microperfusion of the serosa in esophageal and colorectal anastomosis. Future clinical studies will define its role in the prediction of anastomotic leakage.
