Saline volume necessary to achieve predetermined intraluminal pressures during leak testing of small intestinal biopsy sites in the dog.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the volume of saline needed to achieve targeted intraluminal pressures during leak testing of closed jejunal biopsy sites in the dog. STUDY
DESIGN: Experimental. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=38).
METHODS: Jejunal biopsies in dogs were performed and closed using 3-4 full thickness simple interrupted sutures. Saline volumes needed to achieve 2 predetermined intraluminal pressures (20 and 34 cm water [15 and 25 mmHg]) in a 10 cm canine jejunal segment containing a closed biopsy site using 2 methods of luminal occlusion were recorded.
RESULTS: The 95% confidence intervals for the volume of saline needed to achieve 20 and 34 cm water intraluminal pressure were 10.9-13.6 and 16.3-19.0 mL, respectively with digital occlusion and 8.5-11.1 and 12.1-14.8 mL, respectively with Doyen occlusion. Correlation between volume of saline instilled and the pressure achieved was 0.76 for digital occlusion and 0.86 for Doyen occlusion.
CONCLUSION: Correlation between volume of saline instilled and pressure achieved was greater with Doyen than digital occlusion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For canine jejunum, saline volumes of 16.3-19 mL (digital occlusion) and 12.1-14.8 mL (Doyen occlusion) can be used to achieve intraluminal pressures of 34 cm water during leak testing of a 10 cm segment containing a closed biopsy site. © Copyright 2010 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.