Mesenteric traction syndrome in pigs: A single-blinded, randomized controlled trial

Background: Mesenteric traction syndrome is commonly observed in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery and is associated with severe postoperative complications. A triad of hypotension, tachycardia, and facial flushing seems provoked by prostacyclin (PGI₂) release from the gut in response to mesenteric traction. The administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) inhibits PGI₂ release, stabilizing the hemodynamic response. Here, we examined the effect of mesenteric traction on splanchnic blood flow in pigs randomized to NSAID or placebo treatment.

Materials and methods: Twenty pigs were allocated to either ketorolac or placebo treatment. Five minutes of manual mesenteric traction was applied. Plasma 6-keto-PGF1_α, a stable metabolite of PGI₂, hemodynamic variables, and regional blood flow (laser speckle contrast imaging) to the liver, stomach, small intestine, upper lip, and snout (laser Doppler flowmetry) were recorded prior to traction and 5 and 30 minutes thereafter.

Results: Both groups of pigs presented a decrease in systemic vascular resistance (P = .01), mean arterial blood pressure (P = .001), and blood flow in the gastric antrum (P = .002). Plasma 6-keto-PGF1_α did not increase in either group (P = .195), and cardiac output, heart rate, central venous pressure, and blood flow to the liver, small intestine, upper lip, and snout remained unchanged.

Conclusion: Mesenteric traction resulted in cardiovascular depression, including reduced blood flow in the gastric antrum. Plasma 6-keto-PGF1_α did not increase, and ketorolac administration did not alter the response to mesenteric traction. Furthers studies are needed to identify which substance is responsible for eliciting the cardiovascular response to mesenteric traction in pigs.