title: Mesenteric fat necrosis after recent surgery causing bowel obstruction: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Mesenteric fat necrosis causing bowel obstruction is a rare occurrence with only one case reported in humans. It is due to accidental or surgical trauma to the adipose tissue with extracellular liberation of fat or enzymatic lysis of fat due to the release of lipases resulting in fibrosis. Preoperative imaging may often be misleading and fail to identify fat necrosis as the cause of bowel obstruction. As surgical intervention is the only suitable treatment option in cases of failed conservative treatment, the diagnosis is made postoperatively. There is no published advice on the management of mesenteric fat necrosis. We recommend safe operating techniques to minimize the risk of developing fat necrosis and its potential harmful consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, United Kingdom. barnabas@rigdengreen.com
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jha
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005218:Fat Necrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008643:Mesentery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed