Triple-lumen perfusion of the canine jejunum

The triple-lumen gut perfusion technique was validated in five dogs with established jejunal fistulas. Transit time through the 30-cm test segment was 6.2 min when perfused at 4 ml/min with a balanced electrolyte solution (Na 140, K 5, Cl 110 and HCO3 35 mM), and this remained constant during a 3-hr test period. Fasting intestinal content was very small in the dog. After 35 min equilibration, steady-state absorption was achieved during perfusion with electrolyte solution containing polyethylene glycol (5 g/liter) as a nonabsorbable marker (10 studies). The triple-lumen gut perfusion technique is well suited to the study of intestinal transport in vivo in dogs with chronic intestinal fistulas.