Small intestinal blood flow after 48 hours ileus, prostigmin and manual decompression

In eight piglets small intestinal blood flow (IBF) and motility has been measured after 48 hrs mechanical obstruction, prostigmin application and manual decompression using the microspheres method. Intraenteric basic pressure is in a normal range; the number of tonic contraction waves (type 3 waves) is slightly increased. IBF after 48 hrs ileus is markedly increased compared to normal (218%). Prostigmin does not influence IBF significantly. After manual decompression, IBF decreases to 56% of normal and does not recover within 30 minutes. Whereas IBF in the segment proximal to the obstruction is increased, IBF in the distal part is significantly reduced (48%) after 48 hrs of ileus. It is concluded that 48 hrs of ileus have no harmful effect on intestinal blood flow and function. Prostigmin does not increase IBF, whereas motility is stimulated strongly. Mechanical decompression results in a 50% reduction of IBF, which might be in accordance with clinical observation of retarded recovery and reduced motility after this maneuvre.