Intestinal pHi studied with continuous saline tonometry during ischaemia and reperfusion in the pig.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate continuous saline tonometry for detection of progressive intestinal ischaemia and reperfusion in a porcine model. DESIGN In eight anaesthetised pigs, small bowel mucosal pCO2 was recorded by means of two identical equipments for continuous saline tonometry and a standard tonometry balloon during ischaemia and reperfusion. RESULTS Both systems of saline tonometry functioned stably during the four hour protocol ischaemia, although not significant until after 45 min for one of the tonometers. CONCLUSION The equipment for continuous saline tonometry has a good reactivity, an accuracy comparable with standard tonometry.