Successful anaesthesia and small-bowel anastomosis in the guineapig.

Using methoxyflurane and paying critical attention to maintenance of body temperature, tracheal aspiration and fluid replacement, guineapigs were rendered suitable for intraperitoneal operations lasting up to 3 h. Anaesthetic mortality was less than 2%. A technique of small-bowel anastomosis was developed using interrupted soluble sutures meticulously placed 1 mm apart and taking bites 1 mm deep. Survival was 95%.