Assessment of Laser Doppler Flowmetry During Abdominal Aortic Aneurysmectomy

The purpose of the present study was to assess the diagnostic utility of blood flow measurements at the sigmoid colon by laser Doppler flowmetry.Methods: A laser-Doppler flow probe was placed in contact with the serosa of the sigmoid colon in 41 patients undergoing resection of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Blood flows were measured before aortic clamping, after reconstruction, and after inferior mesenteric artery revascularization.Results: The authors observed a colonic blood flow greater than 18 mL/minute/100 g in all the patients who did not develop postoperative ischemic colitis.Conclusions: The colonic blood flow needed to prevent postoperative ischemic colitis is greater than 18 mL/minute/100 g. The assessment of blood flow at the sigmoid colon by laser Doppler flowmetry is useful for predicting postoperative ischemic colitis.