IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Girish D Bakhshi; Kushagra Rahul; Atish Parikh; Ajay H Bhandarwar; Rochana G Bakhshi

Volume : IX, Issue : IV, April - 2020

Efficacy Of Leak Test Using Normal Saline Instillation In Bowel Anastomoses

Girish D Bakhshi, Kushagra Rahul, Atish Parikh, Ajay H Bhandarwar, Rochana G Bakhshi

Abstract :

AIM: To apply and see the efficacy of leak test using normal saline instillation in cases of bowel anastomoses in preventing post –operative leaks due to technical failure with the objective of documenting intraoperative leaks and repairing them till test is negative. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprised of patients between age 12 to 79 years undergoing hand sewn bowel anastomoses for bowel pathology. During surgery, leak test was performed and if leak was present, it was positive. All positive leak test were repaired intraoperatively and the test was repeated till the test was negative. Post operatively the patients were followed up for three weeks to check for anastomotic leak. The results were analysed to know technical failure and anastomotic leak following correction of intraoperative positive leak test. RESULTS: Twelve patients out of 51 enrolled in the study developed intraoperative leaks which were repaired and test was repeated till test was negative. One patient developed leak in the post– operative period in spite of the test being negative intraoperatively. Conclusion: Leak test provides a useful guide to the surgeon for demonstrating deficiencies of surgical technique in inter bowel anastomoses which can be corrected intraoperatively. It helps reduce anastomotic leaks due to failure in anastomotic technique.