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.