This study states that Colonic ischemia (CI) is a life-threatening complication after aortic surgery. Postoperative surveillance of colonic perfusion might be warranted. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of postoperative extraluminal pH measurement (pHe) using colonic tonometry after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Before closing the abdomen after open AAA repair, a tonometric catheter was placed transabdominally in contact with the sigmoid colon serosa, similar to a drainage catheter. Extraluminal partial pressure of carbon dioxide was measured postoperatively and combined with arterial blood gas analysis to calculate the pHe. The measurements were repeated every 4 hours with simultaneous intra-abdominal pressure measurements. The threshold for colonic malperfusion was set at pHe <7.2. Measurements of pHe using colonic tonometry indicated malperfusion in all four patients who had developed clinically significant CI. A shorter duration of low pHe was well tolerated without any signs of CI. Measurement of pHe was safe and reliable for the surveillance of colonic perfusion after open aortic surgery, indicating a promising technique. However, larger studies are needed.
Reference link- https://www.jvascsurg.org/article/S0741-5214(20)32508-8/fulltext
