Perioperative medicine & outcomes
The effect of major abdominal surgery on the sublingual microcirculation: an observational study
Authors' conclusion
The area under a PPV of 92% during elective major abdominal surgery was small, indicative of little impairment of sublingual microcirculation.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery under GA
- Participants
- 46 patients
- Outcome
- Area under a proportion of perfused vessels (PPV) of 92% (duration and severity of capillary RBC flow impairment)
- Follow-up
- Intraoperative
Methodological detailsSublingual microcirculation assessed by vital microscopy before induction of GA, at surgical incision, every 20 min during surgery and on the first postoperative day
- Sublingual microcirculation assessed by vital microscopy before induction of GA, at surgical incision, every 20 min during surgery and on the first postoperative day
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Intraoperative area under a PPV of 92%
Median [IQR] intraoperative area under a PPV of 92%
71%⋅min
2%⋅min-278%⋅min
Patients with area under a PPV of 92% of 0%⋅min
12
26%
Patients with area under a PPV of 92% of 400%⋅min or higher
5
11%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimated difference (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest intraoperative PPV vs PPV at incision | −5.3% (−6.3 to −4.4) | P < 0.001 | |
| −10−505Difference (linear scale) |
Time-weighted average PPV < 92%
- Median [IQR] time-weighted average PPV < 92%
- 0.3% [0%-0.9%]
Effect of duration of surgery on intraoperative PPV and other sublingual microcirculation variables
- No clinically important persistent effect
Original publication
The effect of major abdominal surgery on the sublingual microcirculation: an observational study. Can J Anaesth. Published 12 May 2025. doi:10.
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