[Intestinal infarct in a geriatric patient]

After reviewing the literature on the subject, the authors analysed the patients suffering from intestinal infarction selected from those examined between 1-1-1985 and 31-12-1995. It was found that out of 11,500 patients only 9 (0.07%) suffered from this pathology.

The authors found that geriatrics (between 65 and 74 years old) were most commonly affected by this pathology, with a majority of females (55.35%) and that the most frequently associated pathologies were cardiopathies. Medical treatment and surgery were used (depending on the results of the various tests). Of these patients only 3 (33.32%) were treated medically, whereas the remainder underwent surgery using different techniques in each case. Excision of the thrombus was performed in 22.23% with the partial resection of the intestine in 44.45%. The quality of life in operated patients was reasonably satisfactory. Those undergoing excision of the thrombus enjoyed 100% wellbeing compared to only 25% of those undergoing partial intestinal resection. Those receiving medical treatment all died. The most frequent complications were short intestine (11.11%) and wound infection with possible dehiscence.

The authors conclude by highlighting the gravity of the pathology from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view and by underlining that the quality of life in general of operated patients was good in 33.34% of those living, with Karnofsky's Index of 100 in 22.23%.