The rationale for "second-look operation" in mesenteric vessel occlusion with uncertain intestinal viability at primary surgery.

In a 10-year period, 80 patients, median age 78 years, were operated on for mesenteric vascular occlusion--arterial in 50 cases, venous in 24 and of uncertain etiology in six cases. Abdominal pain out of proportion to physical findings occurred in only eight cases. Vague abdominal symptoms with increasing tenderness led to surgical exploration in most cases. Median patient delay was 34 hours and doctor's delay 15 hours. Resection was primarily nonfeasible in 28 cases. Primary resection without second-look operation was performed in 32 cases, in seven of which signs of anastomotic insufficiency appeared. In the remaining 20 cases, primary resection (18) and/or embolectomy (3/2) was followed by a planned second-look operation within 24 hours, when five resections were performed. In a patient with viable anastomosis at second look, there were late signs of anastomotic insufficiency. Although the data do not permit firm recommendations, use of second-look operation in patients with doubtful viability of the intestine may reduce the extent of resection at primary exploration and also the incidence of insufficient anastomosis.