Foregut revascularization via retrograde splenic artery perfusion after resection of a juxtaceliac mycotic aneurysm: complicated by pancreatic infarction because of cholesterol emboli.

A 66-year-old woman had development of a rapidly enlarging juxtaceliac mycotic aneurysm after therapy for lumbar osteomyelitis and a psoas abscess. The aneurysm was repaired through a thoracoabdominal approach with a Dacron aortic graft sewn end to end to the thoracic aorta and end to side to the infrarenal aorta. Perfusion was restored after oversewing the abdominal aorta above the superior mesenteric artery and oversewing the celiac trunk. After reperfusion the foregut remained critically ischemic despite a patent superior mesenteric artery. Foregut reperfusion was achieved by removing the spleen and anastomosing the distal splenic artery to the aortic graft. Recovery was complicated by infarction of the body of the pancreas because of cholesterol emboli, resulting in a large pleural effusion. After undergoing a subtotal pancreatectomy that preserved the splenic artery, the patient recovered without additional complications. During 8 years of follow-up, the patient has normoglycemia and has had no further infections complications. The distal splenic artery offers an excellent inflow for foregut revascularization; however, the pancreas is intolerant of atheromatous emboli.