Evaluation of ischemic intestine by Doppler ultrasound

Intraoperative Doppler ultrasound examination of ischemic intestine was used to determine viability and to establish margins of resection, even when the findings differed from the surgeon's clinical appraisal. Ten of 25 segments in 23 patients were clinically judged nonviable, but because of arterial flow within the segments was detected by Doppler ultrasound, none was resected. The subsequent benign clinical courses of the patients demonstrated the viability of the segments. Two segments were judged clinically viable, but because Doppler signals were absent, both were resected. Histologic examination demonstrated severe ischemic changes in both segments. Nine segments were judged both by clinical criteria and by Doppler ultrasound examination to be nonviable, and all nine were resected. Histologic examination confirmed ischemia or infarction in all. Doppler ultrasound was a more reliable intraoperative predictor of viability of ischemic intestine than clinical assessment alone, and its use averted postoperative complications and unnecessary second-look procedures.