Optical measurements on drain fluid for the detection of anastomotic leakage

Leakage after an anastomosis of parts of the bowel or of other organs is an ongoing problem, showing a high morbidity and mortality and involving high costs. To date there are limited tools for the surgeon for detecting leakage early. The drain fluid, taken from the patient for about 7 days, can be used as an indication since leakage will result in bacterial contamination of the fluid. This work is a study of using an on-line infrared absorption method to detect contamination. The work has shown a clear increase in infrared (IR) absorption as the contamination was increased, which means this technique has high potential to be used as a bedside early-warning system.