[Indications and results of second-look operation in acute mesenteric vascular occlusion]

In acute mesenteric infarction (AMI) assessment of bowel vitality after surgery remains to be a difficult problem for which second-look-operation was recommended. From 1977-1989, 115 patients were operated on AMI (explor. laparotomy: n = 28, resection and/or revascularization n = 87). In 36/87 patients, a planned second look was performed for control of vitality or lavage. In 10/87 patients, re-resection was performed, of whom 5 patients survived. By the second-look, 6% of 87 patients could be saved. Over all survival was 41.7%.