Case report: rectal infarction after abdominal aortic surgery

Full thickness ischaemic colitis complicates approximately 1-2% of abdominal aortic procedures. Ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery and hypotension are recognized as causative factors. It is not, however, widely appreciated that ischaemic proctitis may also rarely complicate aortic surgery, especially after complex procedures or if there has been additional interruption to the internal iliac circulation. We report a case of rectal necrosis following repair of a thrombosed aortic aneurysm in which plain X-ray appearances aided the diagnosis.