[Mesenteric vein thrombosis after devasculation for portal hypertension].

Six patients with mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) after devasculation for portal hypertension were treated by intestinal resection. Two patients had recurrence of thrombosis after the initial operations. Among 6 patients 2 survived and 4 (66.7%) died. MVT is an underappreciated, patentially lethal complication after revasculation. Three pathogenic factors after the operation may lead to thrombus formation of the portal vein, portal congestion, hypercoaguble state, and extensive ligation of portal branches. The complication commonly occurs in the recent period after devasculation. It is a characteristic manifestation of MVT that abdominal pain is out of proportion to physical findings. The most effective method is resection of infarcted bowel with sufficient length of normal bowel and its mesentery. In order to avoid a recurrence of thrombosis, postoperative anticoagulation treatment should be given.