Mesenteric Infarction: Clinical Outcomes After Restoration of Bowel Continuity.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who have a bowel resection for mesenteric infarction may require parenteral nutrition (PN). This study primarily aimed to determine the aetiological factors for a mesenteric infarction and the effects of restoring bowel continuity on the long-term PN requirements. METHODS: A retrospective review of data on patients treated for mesenteric infarction from 2000 to 2010. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients (61 women, median age 54 years) were identified. Seventy-four (65%) had a superior mesenteric artery thromboembolism, 25 (22%) had a superior mesenteric vein thrombosis, and 4 (3%) had superior mesenteric artery stricture or spasm. Patients younger than 60 years most commonly had a clotting abnormality (n = 23/46, 50%), whereas older patients had a cardiological risk factor (n = 11/17, 65%). All patients with a jejunostomy required long-term PN. Fifty-seven (49%) patients had restoration of bowel continuity (colon brought into circuit). After this, PN was stopped within 1 year in 20 (35%), within 2 years in 29 (50%) patients and within 5 years in 44 (77%) patients (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A thrombotic tendency is the main etiological factor in most patients younger than 60 years. An anastomosis of the remaining jejunum to the colon can allow PN to be stopped.