The Current Surgical Outcome for Acute Superior Mesenteric Artery Embolisms

Abstract

Acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) embolisms are rare and are associated with a high mortality rate. Extensive enterectomy could have detrimental effects on the nutritional status of patients. Ten patients who underwent surgery for acute SMA embolisms from 2006 to 2012 were reviewed (6 men, 4 women; mean age: 73years, range: 51-82). Abdominal multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) scan imaging indicated an acute SMA embolism in 9 patients. All patients underwent open abdominal surgery, while 7 patients underwent embolectomy. No patient died of SMA-related thrombosis as a result of embolism formation. Eight patients who underwent extensive enterectomy showed no alteration in their nutritional status. MDCT was useful in early-stage diagnosis, and extensive surgery was an effective treatment strategy.