RT Journal
A1 FICARRA BJ
T1 SIgnificance of the serosal arterioles in resuscitation of the small bowel
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1949
FD November 1
VO 59
IS 5
SP 1135
OP 1138
DO 10.1001/archsurg.1949.01240041145013
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1949.01240041145013
AB ON MANY occasions the surgeon is confronted with the problem of whether or not an intestinal segment is viable. This is especially true in emergency situations, as when an operation is performed for incarcerated and/or strangulated hernias or for intestinal obstruction. At the operating table valuable time elapses as the surgeon waits patiently to ascertain the return of a bowel loop to normalcy. Since most patients with these conditions are not the best operative condidates, the additional period of anesthesia and exposure of the peritoneal cavity to the atmosphere increases the morbidity. Often this delay, lingering and waiting, is a major factor in producing death.Thus a rapid diagnostic criterion of viability of the small bowel is of practical importance. Observation at the operating table in this type of situation has brought to light such a criterion. In addition to the clinical observation, experimental evidence in animals is offered in