[Results of therapy of acute mesenteric vascular occlusion]

From 1979 to 1984 39 patients were operated on for acute mesenteric ischemia. The purpose of this retrospective study was the documentation of the therapeutic results and discussion of the value of a second-look operation and postoperative angiography. Proximal occlusion of SMA in 33 patients (85%) resulted in extended bowel infarction, whereas segmental infarction due to peripheral occlusion was found in 15%. The hospital mortality was 85%. Operative procedure consisted of revascularisation (18%), bowel resection (18%), revascularisation and resection (10%) and explorative laparotomy (18%). The second-look operation as a routine procedure has been replaced by a postoperative angiogram. Laparotomy was performed in case of reocclusion of SMA or clinical signs.