Intraoperative high-flow antegrade irrigation. A new bowel-cleansing system

A new intraoperative method, employing a specially designed apparatus, is described by which the colon can be cleansed to a degree not obtainable by other methods. The method enables continuous antegrade irrigation with large volumes of irrigant at high rates of flow, prior to enterotomy. It has been tested in an experimental canine model and found to be safe and effective.