Volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution required to reach maximum peristaltic pressure in cadaveric intact jejunal specimens from dogs of various sizes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To compare the volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution required to reach a maximum intraluminal peristaltic pressure of 25 mm Hg in dogs of various sizes. SAMPLES 25 grossly normal jejunal segments from 6 canine cadavers < 20 kg (small dogs) and 25 segments from 5 cadavers ≥ 20 kg (large dogs). PROCEDURES Jejunal specimens were obtained within 1.5 hours after euthanasia. Harvested tissue was transected into 12-cm-long segments, mesentery was trimmed, and each segment was measured from the antimesenteric to mesenteric serosal edges. A 10-cm segment was isolated with Doyen forceps, securing a pressure sleeve within the lumen. Intraluminal saline was infused, and the volume was recorded when a pressure of > 25 mm Hg was achieved. Data were analyzed only from specimens in which the pressure remained between 24 and 26 mm Hg for > 5 seconds. RESULTS Mean ± SD intestinal measurement for large dogs (17.82 ± 1.44 mm) was greater than that for small dogs (12.38 ± 1.38 mm) as was the volume of saline solution infused (17.56 ± 7.17 mL vs 3.28 ± 1.41 mL, respectively). The volume infused increased by 1.31 mL (95% CI, 1.08 to 1.18) for every 1-mm increase in intestinal measurement and by 1.06 mL (95% CI, 1.052 to 1.068) for every 1-kg increase in body weight. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The volume of saline solution used for intestinal leak testing should be determined on the basis of patient intestinal measurement or body weight. In vivo studies are necessary to establish the optimal volume for intestinal leak testing.

Cooled feline intestine and fresh intestine did not differ in enterotomy leak pressure testing or in gross wall thickness measurement

“…Canine cadaveric studies involving the gastrointestinal tract have increased during the past 3 years (2020-2022) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] after a novel study 7 was performed by Aeschlimann et al in 2018. This study compared leak testing in frozenthawed, cooled, and fresh porcine jejunal tissue due to its similarity to canine jejunal tissue in order to evaluate the type of tissue that may be more reliable in assessing enterotomy leak pressures. 7 As far as the authors of the current study are aware, it has not yet been established whether fresh or cooled feline cadaveric intestine is sufficient as an ex vivo model for feline intestinal surgery and species differences might exist.…”

“…Canine cadaveric studies involving the gastrointestinal tract have increased during the past 3 years (2020–2022) 1–9 after a novel study 7 was performed by Aeschlimann et al in 2018. This study compared leak testing in frozen–thawed, cooled, and fresh porcine jejunal tissue due to its similarity to canine jejunal tissue in order to evaluate the type of tissue that may be more reliable in assessing enterotomy leak pressures 7 .…”