Saline volume required to achieve peristaltic intraluminal pressure during leak testing of canine colotomies, using two methods of luminal occlusion

Background: No studies have appeared in the literature evaluating the intraluminal volume of injected saline in the canine colon for performing leak tests in colotomy incisions. Aim: To determine the volume of the injected intraluminal saline necessary to achieve an intraluminal pressure of 17.3 cm H2O in 10 cm colonic segments containing a closed colotomy occluded with intestinal forceps or by digital pressure. Methods: Fresh colon was obtained from 8 canine cadavers and divided into 10cm segments. A 3cm antimesenteric colonic incision was performed at each intestinal segment which was closed using a 3-0 polydioxanone suture in a simple continuous pattern. Each colonic construct was occluded with Doyen intestinal forceps or by digital pressure and a leak test was performed by saline infusion. The saline volume needed to achieve a predetermined intraluminal pressure of 17.3 cm H2O, following occlusion was recorded. Results: The mean volume of injected saline with the Doyen intestinal forceps occlusion (20.4 ± 8.2 ml) was significantly larger than that of the digital occlusion technique (17.5 ± 6.8 ml) [ P=0.021]. Conclusion: For 10 cm canine colonic constructs containing a closed colotomy, saline volumes of 20.4 ml with Doyen occlusion and 17.5 ml with digital occlusion can be utilized to achieve intraluminal pressures of 17.3 cm H2O. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(5.000): 1130-1134]