A total of 72 small intestinal ischemic segments were created in 36 dogs and were assessed for their viability by standard clinical criteria and then by fluorescein dye technique. Twenty four ischemic segments each with 3 different types of stangulation obstructions viz. arterial, venous and arteriovenous were evaluated at the end of 1, 4 and 8 hr of ischemic episodes. A second look laparotomy and histopathological evaluation were done 48 hr after release of intestinal occlusions to establish the end-points of the viability of each intestinal ischemic segment. A total of 62 segments were adjudged as viable and remaining 10 as nonviable. The fluorescein dye technique was sensitive, specific, predictive and significantly more accurate than the standard clinical criteria for the intended purpose.
Dogs, Fluorescein dye technique, Intestinal viability
