[Fatal outcome factors of intestinal infarct of primary vascular origin]

Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances, mesenteric vascular occlusion with intestinal infarction is often fatal. Parameters determining the high mortality are seldom discussed in the literature. By univariate statistical analysis we correlated the therapeutic outcome of our patients to 20 parameters. Between 1 January 1984 and 30 April 1996 we treated 22 men and 18 women with acute bowel ischemia of vascular origin. All patients underwent laparotomy, 40% (n = 16) due to the diagnosis of mesenteric infarction. In 15% (n = 6) the laparotomy was only exploratory; in 34 cases (85%) bowel resection was carried out. Mortality for all patients was 55% (n = 22). Univariate analysis of the 20 parameters showed that the therapeutic outcome was significantly correlated to a pre-existing diabetes, the course of hospitalization, and the high ASA class. There was no correlation to the length of resected bowel. Most parameters that determine the mortality of bowel infarction are pre-existing and cannot be influenced, but survival can be achieved in some patients if radical and aggressive resection is carried out at the side of almost complete small bowel infarction and followed by an elective second-look operation. Even short-bowel syndrome can be treated. Patients can return to a near normal lifestyle with an acceptable quality of life with the aid of parenteral nutrition at home.