Abstract
We report a case of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) after thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer where enteral nutrition might participate in the development of NOMI.
An 85-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to melena and dizziness. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed esophagogastric junction cancer. We performed thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position, laparoscopic assisted gastric tube reconstruction and three field dissection. Enteral nutrition was started on the postoperative day (POD) 2. On POD 5, severe abdominal pain appeared. Abdominal computed tomography revealed hepatic portal venous gas and bowel pneumatosis. We diagnosed the case as NOMI and performed an emergency surgery. It is necessary to take a possibility of NOMI into consideration, if abdominal pain after frequent bouts of diarrhea develops in the patient who has been introduced enteral nutrition after operation.
