Open abdominal surgery with mesh and zipper for superior mesenteric artery occlusion

Intestinal infarction caused by superior mesenteric arterial occlusion (SMAO) often requires massive resection of the necrotic bowel. However, this procedure frequently causes the short bowel syndrome. To avoid the development of this syndrome, it is important to conserve as much of the remnant bowel as possible. However, SMAO frequently occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation; even if the operation saves the patient's life, the risk of disease recurrence remains. We developed a novel open abdominal surgical technique involving the use of a mesh with a zipper to monitor the blood flow around the primary anastomosis created during the initial operation. Here, we described this technique and the postoperative management procedures and evaluate the efficiency of the technique.