A Case of Ascending Colon Diverticulosis that Developed Superior Mesenteric and Portal Vein Thrombosis following Laparoscopic Colectomy

Abstract

A 57-year-old man with multiple diverticula of the ascending colon underwent laparoscopic ileocecal resection. Preoperative hematologic data showed an increased concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit. On day 18 after surgery, the patient complained of back pain and epigastralgia, and CT revealed thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and portal vein (PV). Treatment with anticoagulation using heparin sodium, urokinase and warfarin potassium was started immediately, followed by a single dose of warfarin potassium after 7 days. CT scheduled on day 92 after the operation showed near-complete resolution of the SMV and PV thrombosis. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of SMV and PV thrombosis developing after laparoscopic colectomy, with a review of the literature.