Open surgery for atherosclerotic chronic mesenteric ischemia.
BACKGROUND
This study was undertaken to document the results of our current practice of open mesenteric revascularization to enable comparison with the recent trend of percutaneous endovascular therapy for the treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia.


METHODS
Patients were identified via operation code data as well ongoing audit data from 1992 until 2006. Only patients with a history of chronic mesenteric ischemia secondary to atherosclerosis for 3 months or longer were included in the study. Follow-up data have been collected prospectively and include clinical examination and history, as well as graft surveillance consisting of mesenteric duplex ultrasonography, computed tomography, and/or angiography every 6 months for 3 years and then yearly thereafter.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine consecutive patients underwent 41 open revascularization procedures for chronic mesenteric ischemia, comprising 67 bypass grafts. The mean patient age was 65 years (range, 45-85 years), and 44% (n = 17) were male. Symptoms were present on average for 11 months (range, 4-48 months) before treatment. The average weight loss was 11.4 kg, and three patients (7.6%) also had evidence of ischemic enteritis. There was one perioperative death, thus giving a perioperative mortality rate of 2.5%. Perioperative morbidity occurred in five patients (12.2%). Primary graft patency was 92% at 5 years. Seven patients died during follow-up, which ranged from 4 to 161 months (mean, 39 months)-one (2.5%) from mesenteric ischemia. Two (5%) other patients have had recurrent mesenteric ischemic symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Open surgical mesenteric revascularization by bypass grafting for atherosclerotic-induced chronic mesenteric ischemia can be performed with low mortality and morbidity and provides excellent long-term primary patency rates and symptom-free outcomes. Pending more data on the acute and long-term results of endovascular techniques, open mesenteric revascularization remains the gold standard for most patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia.
Kruger
Allan J
AJ
Department of Vascular Surgery, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. allanteresa@bigpond.com.au
Walker
Philip J
PJ
Foster
Wallace J
WJ
Jenkins
Jason S
JS
Boyne
Nicholas S
NS
Jenkins
Julie
J
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008643:Mesentery / Q000098:blood supply*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures; D015431:Weight Loss