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Quantitative myoelectric determination of bowel viability
The Journal of Surgical Research
|December 1, 1986
Summary
A novel strain gauge device accurately measures bowel viability by assessing threshold stimulus level (TSL). This TSL measurement is more sensitive than Doppler ultrasound for determining ischemic bowel health.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Innovation
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Assessing ischemic bowel viability is crucial for surgical outcomes.
- Current methods like Doppler ultrasound and visual inspection have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a new strain gauge device for quantitatively measuring bowel viability.
- To compare the device's threshold stimulus level (TSL) with Doppler ultrasound and visual assessment.
Main Methods:
- A strain gauge device delivering electrical stimuli was applied to ischemic bowel segments in 20 dogs.
- Threshold stimulus level (TSL) was determined and compared with Doppler ultrasound blood flow measurements.
- Bowel color and peristalsis were also correlated with TSL and Doppler data.
Main Results:
- TSL values ranged from 21 ± 2 mA in normal bowel to 98 ± 2 mA in gangrenous bowel.
- At the last audible Doppler signal, TSL readings were significantly higher than in normal bowel (P ≤ 0.0001).
- Absence of Doppler signals in the bowel wall and peripheral arterioles did not prevent healing after reanastomosis.
Conclusions:
- TSL measurement using the strain gauge device is a sensitive indicator of bowel viability.
- TSL is superior to Doppler ultrasound and gross visual evaluation for assessing ischemic bowel viability.
- This device offers a promising quantitative method for intraoperative assessment of bowel viability.