Phlebothrombosis of the Superior Mesenteric Vein in Which Postoperative Trans-Catheter Fibrinolytic Treatment Proved Effective

Abstract

Early diagnosis of phlebothrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein is difficult, and in most cases this condition must be treated by enterectomy. The patient, a 56-year-old male with no past history of phlebothrombosis, was brought to the hospital with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. Angiography led to a diagnosis of phlebothrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein, and fibrinolytic agents were therefore administered via a catheter placed in the superior mesenteric artery. Following partial enterectomy on the 10th day, a catheter was inserted into the superior mesenteric vein. Continuous fibrinolytic therapy was effective in preventing postoperative recurrence; dissolution of the phlebothrombosis in the portal vein was also observed.