Local Myoelectric Sensing During Human Colonic Tissue Perfusion.

Area of Science:

• Colorectal Surgery
• Surgical Complications
• Physiology

Background:

• Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a severe complication following colorectal surgery.
• Adequate perfusion at the anastomosis is critical for preventing AL.
• Current methods for assessing perfusion are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of measuring the electrical activity of the colonic muscularis externa for perfusion analysis.
• To assess the potential of the xBar system in detecting changes in colonic perfusion during surgery.

Main Methods:

• Human isolated colon strips were used to record spontaneous contractions and myoelectric activity.
• The xBar system, a bipolar electrode array, was used to measure myoelectric data.
• Intraoperative myoelectric signal assessment was performed before and after mesenteric artery ligation.

Main Results:

• Hypoxia significantly inhibited contraction amplitude, duration, and frequency (>80%) in isolated colon.
• Intraoperative assessment showed a significant decline in colonic spike rate after arterial ligation (112.64 to 51.13 spikes/min).
• No adverse events were recorded, and the device did not impede the surgical procedure.

Conclusions:

• Ischemia reduces the electrical activity and contraction force of the human colon.
• The xBar system shows promise for intraoperative and postoperative monitoring of anastomotic viability.
• This technology may help predict the risk of AL and prevent dehiscence.