Isolated mesenteric vascular injury following a blunt abdominal trauma--a case report

Isolated injuries of the small bowel mesentery following blunt abdominal trauma are rare. In this report, one case of such injury with subsequent bowel infarction is described. Bowel resection with end-to-end anastomosis was done and the patient had an uneventful recovery. Other similar case reports are reviewed and compared. The main significance of this injury is the delay and difficulty in diagnosis, especially when there is minimal signs and symptoms to warrant an exploratory laparotomy. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage is a useful tool in such injuries and has produced good results.