Colonic infarction and pancreatitis: a case report

A case of almost total colonic infarction secondary to pancreatitis is described. This appears to be a very rare complication of acute pancreatitis and is a result of mesenteric venous thrombosis secondary to the acute inflammatory process. The clue to the diagnosis was the passage of bright blood per rectum and a rapid deterioration in the condition of a patient with severe pancreatitis. Subtotal colectomy with ileostomy and mucous fistula formation was the treatment of choice. Ileosigmoid anastomosis was performed six months later.