Increased intra-abdominal pressure as a means of inhibiting perforations due to pepsin solutions under hydrostatic pressure in the small intestines of dogs

Abstract

1. The time for perforation to occur in dogs’ intestines was studied by exposing the intestinal mucosa to a solution of 0.1 per cent pepsin in N/10 HCl under 90 cm. hydrostatic pressure and using intra-abdominal counter pressures of either 20 cm. or 45 cm. of saline. 2. The time for perforation to appear was lengthened by raising the intra-abdominal pressure, varying directly with the pressure. When the intra-abdominal pressure was atmospheric the time for perforation was 82 minutes; when the pressure in the abdomen was 20 cm. saline the time was increased to 116 minutes and at 45 cm. pressure, to 185 minutes.