Preservation of small bowel with the selective use of heparin and second look laparotomy in acute mesenteric ischaemia: A case report.

BACKGROUND

Acute mesenteric ischaemia may occur due to mesenteric arterial embolus, thrombosis, non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia or venous thrombosis resulting in ischaemia of the bowel wall.

METHODS

A 41year old woman presented with worsening abdominal pain, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting. Examination revealed right lower quadrant tenderness. Investigations revealed elevation of her inflammatory markers. At laparotomy two separate segments of ischaemic but potentially viable small bowel were identified secondary to mesenteric venous thrombosis. Bowel salvage was attempted with the use of intravenous unfractionated heparin and this was confirmed following a second look laparotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a normal platelet count at presentation a diagnosis of JAK-2 positive essential thrombocythaemia was made thus explaining the acquired prothrombotic state underlying the venous thrombosis. The selective use of intravenous unfractionated heparin and second look laparotomy may provide a means for bowel preservation in these cases.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights the potential of bowel salvage can be achieved following an episode of acute mesenteric ischaemia with the use of intravenous unfractionated heparin and selective second look laparotomy and the importance of considering underlying myeloproliferative disease in such cases even in the absence of a thrombocytosis at presentation.