Unchanged high mortality rates from acute occlusive intestinal ischemia: six year review.
OBJECTIVE
Acute intestinal ischemia (AII) is an uncommon surgical emergency that has been increasing in incidence and remains a highly lethal condition with a difficult diagnosis. We undertook this study to evaluate our experience in treating this condition with a view to expand the cumulative information in the literature.


METHODS
Between January 2000 and December 2006, 60 patients with AII caused by thrombotic vascular event underwent surgery at our surgical center. The patients' medical records including data covering demographic features, comorbid medical conditions, medical risk factors, clinical symptoms, history and physical examination findings, and biochemical and radiologic examinations were reviewed. Operative records, the American Society of Anesthesiology physical status classification (ASA-PS), postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and final outcome were also considered.


RESULTS
Of the 60 patients with primary thrombotic vascular event, 20 patients had embolism and 19 patients arterial thrombosis. In 21 patients, mesenteric venous thrombosis was the etiology of AII. The median age was 73 years (range, 43-96). Higher ASA classification, age >70 years, late presentation, and high serum lactate levels were predictors of adverse outcome. The overall death rate was 60% (36/60), which was within the range of that observed in the published series.


CONCLUSIONS
AII remains a highly lethal condition. Mortality rates remain as high as they did decades ago due in part to advanced presentation and advanced age with multiple associated conditions and risk factors, all of which are independent predictors of adverse outcome.
Kassahun
Woubet T
WT
Department of Surgery II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Liebig Strasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. Woubet.Kassahun@uniklinik-leipzig.de
Schulz
Thomas
T
Richter
Olaf
O
Hauss
Johann
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D008642:Mesenteric Veins; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*
D019344:Lactic Acid