Can pulse oxymetry be used for measuring intestinal blood flow?
OBJECTIVE
When studying intestinal blood flow (IBF) using radiolabeled erythrocytes in the rabbit intestinal volvulus model, we also evaluated whether a pulse oxymeter (POX) could be used for the measurement of intestinal blood flow.


METHODS
IBF was measured with radiolabeled erythrocytes and POX in the rabbit intestinal volvulus model. The study was performed on 3 groups: 1) baseline, 2) volvulus, 3) volvulus plus devolvulus.


RESULTS
The POX and scintigraphic measurements were in correlation and showed that IBF stopped for 6 hours following volvulus. IBF was significantly decreased in the volvulus plus devolvulus group compared to the baseline group (p < 0.01). IBF measured with POX correlated with scintigraphic measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
POX is useful for the measurement of IBF and thus may be a cheap and reliable alternative to other intestinal blood flow measurement methods.
Ateş
O
O
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dokuz Eylül University, Medical School, Izmir, Turkey.
Ağartan
C A
CA
Hakgüder
G
G
Olguner
M
M
Yenici
O
O
Akgür
F M
FM
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D010092:Oximetry; D011817:Rabbits; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results