Open abdomen management after massive bowel resection for superior mesenteric arterial occlusion

Abstract

Purpose: Massive bowel resection is often performed for superior mesenteric arterial (SMA) occlusion, resulting in short bowel syndrome. We conducted this study to evaluate the effectiveness of open abdomen management to monitor the blood flow of the remnant bowel and anastomoses.

Methods: We treated five of seven patients with SMA occlusion by open abdomen management, with or without mesh, using a zipper, which we opened daily to monitor the blood flow around the anastomotic site.

Results: None of the five patients treated by open abdomen management required re-resection of the remnant bowel and they were all discharged from hospital in a stable condition.

Conclusion: Open abdomen management proved extremely useful for monitoring blood flow to the anastomotic site and for allowing complete drainage into the abdominal space. Using this method would assist in leaving as much remnant bowel as possible after resection for SMA occlusion.