THE CLOSED INTESTINAL LOOP

Abstract

In order to carry on successfully a series of observations on hydrostatic pressure in closed intestinal loops¹ in dogs, as first demonstrated by Whipple and his associates,² it was necessary to develop some method whereby such loops could be made accessible while in an essentially normal environment. These loops have been so satisfactory for determinations other than hydrostatic pressure that we believe that the methods employed are worth reporting. We felt that any method devised should fulfil certain requirements. The loop should be wholly within the peritoneal cavity; its circulation should be normal which in turn would probably insure a normal mucosa over an indefinite period of time; its lumen should be accessible in unanesthetized animals for various types of observations; and the surgical technic necessary to accomplish this should be aseptic and within the ability of investigators accustomed to experiments on animals. The technic devised is one