Massive small bowel infarction. An unusual complication of abdominal aortic surgery

Only 16 cases of small bowel infarction as a complication of abdominal aortic surgery have previously been reported, with 100 per cent mortality among adults. This case represents the first adult survivor of this unusual complication reported to date. The possible etiologies of this problem including "aorto-iliac steal" phenomena, thromboembolic events, low cardiac output states, operative interruption of important collateral pathways, and mesenteric vasoconstriction secondary to pharmacologic agents are elaborated. The diverse clinical presentations of this devastating complication are likewise reviewed.