THE CLOSED INTESTINAL LOOP

Abstract

This work was undertaken in an attempt to throw further light on the relation of hydraulic pressure within infected hollow viscera to the clinical course presented. It was pointed out by Van Zwalenburg¹ that as the distention of hollow viscera takes place by increased pressure from within, the circulation is gradually blocked and effusion into the lumen tends to increase the fluid and pressure there. Necrosis and rupture are the natural sequelae. In most instances the viscus contains many organisms and toxic products which when freed by rupture spread infection and permit of wide surfaces for absorption, resulting in death. It seemed to us that the closed intestinal loop in the dog, as introduced by Whipple² and his associates, if placed where it was accessible for measuring the intraloop pressure without adding complications to the situation, should lend itself admirably to this investigation. Accordingly, the following procedure was