BACKGROUND:
Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a life threatening vascular emergency which requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. The prevention of this cause of high mortality and morbidity depends on early clinical suspicion end timely intervention. In the present study we aimed to analyze the acute mesenteric ischemia cases treated in Mustafa Kemal University Department of General Surgery between January 2004 and December 2008.
MATERIAL/ METHODS:
The clinic records of all the patients who underwent surgical treatment for AMI between January 1, 2004, and December 2008, were retrospectively reviewed. The data from operative records, postoperative complications, mortality, and hospital stay were recorded.
RESULTS:
The study group included 18 patients. Mean age was 69. There was comorbidity in all patients and cardiac disease and hypertension were the most common ones. The most common laboratory abnormalities were leukocytes, hypoalbuminemia, hyperamylasemia. There was superiorly vascular necrosis in 16 patients; inferior vascular necrosis in one patient. One patient had non occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Segmentery resection was performed to 13 patients. Abdominoperineal resection was performed to the patient with inferior mesenter artery occlusion. We performed duodenotransversostomy on two patients and only laparotomy on two patients. Re-operation was required in 5 patients. Causes of death were multiorgan insufficiency in 7 cases, cardiac death in 2 cases. One patient died due to short intestine syndrome.
CONCLUSION:
Acute mesenteric ischemia is highly mortal emergency which should always be suspected in elderly patients with cardiac disease suffering from abdominal pain.
Keywords: Mesenteric ischemia, mortality, abdominal pain