Читать книгу Point-of-Care Ultrasound Techniques for the Small Animal Practitioner - Группа авторов - Страница 221

A fascinating question because, in contrast to cavitary blood that is resorbed quite rapidly within the “AFAST‐TFAST 48‐hour rule,” lavage fluid lasts much longer (several days) in the author's experience. Thus, our recommendation is always “dry the abdomen” before abdominal closure using suction and running lap sponges through the left (mesocolon) and right (mesoduodenum) sided abdominal “gutters.” Drying the abdomen gives you a negative AFS (AFS of 0) post‐operatively and helps you better interpret the finding of free fluid post‐procedure. Moreover, neutrophils work much more effectively in a “dry abdomen” environment than one bathed in lavage fluid.

Pearl: Expect abdominal cavitary blood to be resorbed with decreasing AFS and be nearly resolved or at an AFS of 0 within 48 hours – the “AFAST‐TFAST 48‐hour rule” – once bleeding has stopped.

Pearl: Spend an extra few minutes to suction and “dry the abdomen” with lap sponges prior to closure. Neutrophils function better, and your patient has an AFS 0 prior to closure, which helps to interpret positive AFS postoperatively.