[Factors affecting mortality in acute mesenteric obstruction].
BACKGROUND
Acute mesenteric obstruction (AMO) is usually fatal. This study was designed to demonstrate the demographic characteristics and prognostic factors of affected patients.


METHODS
The patients admitted to our emergency department and diagnosed as having AMO between January 2000 and December 2004 were investigated retrospectively. Their demographic characteristics, laboratory results, per-operative findings and mortality were investigated retrospectively.


RESULTS
Thirty patients (18 males, 12 females; mean age: 67 [26-92]) were evaluated. 43.3% of patients survived. Surviving patients had statistically significantly lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) but also higher pH and creatinine levels (p=0.0027, 0.0004, 0.02). Colonic involvement also increased mortality (p<0.001). Papaverine infusion, embolectomy and second-look operations had no effect on outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperatively increased liver enzymes, acidosis, and colonic involvement indicated poor prognosis. Papaverine infusion, embolectomy and second-look operations showed no advantages with respect to survival.
Aktekin
Ali
A
4th Department of General Surgery, Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. aliaktekin@turk.net
Emir
Seyfi
S
Sağlam
Abdullah
A
D000138:Acidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis