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Unchanged high mortality rates from acute occlusive intestinal ischemia: six year review

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Abstract

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.

Materials and 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.

Conclusion

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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Bettina Hentschel (University of Leipzig) for assistance with the statistical analysis of the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Liebig Strasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Woubet T. Kassahun, Olaf Richter & Johann Hauss

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Liebig Strasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Thomas Schulz

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Clinic for Visceral, Transplantation, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, University of Leipzig, OKL, Liebig Strasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Woubet T. Kassahun

Authors
  1. Woubet T. Kassahun
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  2. Thomas Schulz
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Correspondence to Woubet T. Kassahun.

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Kassahun, W.T., Schulz, T., Richter, O. et al. Unchanged high mortality rates from acute occlusive intestinal ischemia: six year review. Langenbecks Arch Surg 393, 163–171 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-007-0263-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-007-0263-5

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