The microvascular blood flow in a small intestinal loop located at the surface of the anterior abdominal wall, when exposed to topical negative pressures of −50, −75 and −125 mmHg. The results shown are the mean values of six measurements ± SEM, expressed as a percentage of the baseline value. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney test. Significance was defined as P < 0·05 (*), and P > 0·05 (not significant, n.s.).