Surgical solutions in multivisceral arterial occlusions

Introduction: Acute occlusions of the visceral arteries result in fulminant clinical consequences and without fast and appropriate treatment may lead to fatal outcome. If the obliterative disease has slow progression the huge capacity of the collateral circulation of the visceral arteries may remain free of symptoms at long run. By progression of the obliterative disease and extension to both, the renal arteries and the aortoiliac segment the clinical picture becomes more colourful. Symptoms mimicking other abdominal disorders may easily lead to misdiagnosis and/or unnecessary delay of adequate treatment – finally to organ or life threatening condition. In the present paper we deal with this infrequent, but severe disease in order to recognize it in time, to recommend proper diagnostic workup and propose adequate treatment.