The Use Of T-Stat Colon Oximetry Probe In Patient Outcomes After Aortic Reconstruction Surgery

OBJECTIVES:
Colonic ischemia after aortic reconstruction is a devastating complication with high mortality rates. This study evaluates whether the routine use of Colon Mucosal Oxygen Saturation (CMOS) can decrease hospital lengths of stay and mortality rates for patients undergoing aortic reconstruction.
METHODS:
Aortic reconstruction was performed in 562 patients over a 2-year period. For patients undergoing colon oximetry evaluations, a CMOS probe was inserted in the sigmoid colon prior to surgery. Overall lengths of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, 30-day mortality rates, and colonic ischemia rates were recorded.
RESULTS:
There were no probe related complications during CMOS monitoring. Overall, 38 patients had probe placement and 524 patients had reconstruction without the use of the probe. Overall, 12/562 (2.1%) had colonic ischemia, Patients without CMOS, 9/524 (1.7%) had colonic ischemia and patients with CMOS 3/35 (8.6%) were identified to have colonic ischemia. In patients diagnosed with colonic ischemia, the average length of stay was 35±22 days for patients without CMOS compared to patients with CMOS at 10±9 days (P=.03). There is a decrease in ICU length of stay from 29±23 days vs. 3±8 days (No CMOS vs. CMOS) (P=.03). The mortality rates were decreased with a 5/9 (56%) mortality rate vs. 0/3 (0%) mortality rate (No CMOS vs. CMOS) (P=.09).
CONCLUSIONS:
CMOS monitoring during aortic reconstruction can increase suspicion for colonic ischemia and render early treatment to decrease ICU and hospital lengths of stay as well as improve mortality rates for patients who have colonic ischemia after aortic reconstruction.