[Successful embolectomy for acute mesenteric artery occlusion].

Although acute mesenteric ischemia causing bowel necrosis, a surgical emergency, has been diagnosed with increasing frequency today, it remains as lethal as it ever was, with a mortality rate of 70% to 80%. The high mortality rate can be attributed to delayed diagnosis and the presence of underlying disease. Earlier and more liberal use of angiography in patients with high suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia is mandatory. We report here to a patient, presenting with acute abdomen and bloody stools, who was highly suspected to have superior mesenteric arterial occlusion. He received emergent angiography and successful embolectomy without bowel resection and second-look operation. The post-operative course was rather smooth. An aggressive surgical approach must be considered, and the second-look procedure should be used when the bowel viability is questionable at the first operation. Postoperative anticoagulation therapy should be given when indicated.