Three cases of superior mesenteric artery embolisms —the utility of immediate postoperative angiography—

Abstract

We report three cases which survived superior mesenteric artery embolism, when we performed an embolectomy with laparotomy. In these cases, there was no intestinal necrosis but thrombolysis and interventional radiology was ineffective. We observed persistent embolisms in Case 1, hemorrhage of the suture point in Case 2, and good flow in the superior mesenteric artery in Case 3, by immediate postoperative angiography. Accurate intraoperative evaluation of superior mesenteric artery flow is difficult only by palpation or a doppler flow meter. Immediate postoperative evaluation of superior mesenteric artery flow is effective in the cases of embolectomy with laparotomy.