Objective:To study the diagnosis and operation timing of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI).
:Methods :A retrospective analysis based on the clinical characteristics, the methods of diagnosis and treatment, and operative results of 21 patients with AMI admitted in our hospital from January 1997 to December 2007 was performed.
:Results:The diagnosis were certified by color doppler ultrasonography in five cases, spiral CT in eleven cases, DSA in two cases, and abdominal exploration in three cases. One case was cured by anticoagulation / thrombolytic therapy; and one case was confirmed with selective vascular angiography and cured by urokinase perfusion via the catheter; after removing the thrombus followed by anticoagulation / thrombolytic via Fogarty balloon catheter, ischemia of intestine completely recovered in three cases, partial small bowel resection were performed in eight cases, “secondlook” operation in two cases, and subtotal small bowel resection in six cases. Three cases developed shortgut syndrome and three cases died after operation.
:Conclusions:Imageological examination is essential for diagnosis of doubtful cases of AMI, and adequate treatments and timely selection of operation are critical to attain early diagnosis and good results.