[Intestinal infarction after ruptured aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. Clinical contribution].

Acute mesenteric ischemia is a severe complication after aortic reconstructive surgery for AAA repair. This ischemic event, due to a poor intestinal perfusion especially in ruptured AAA in consequence of the hypotension and the hypovolemic shock, shows different clinical manifestations such as delayed canalization, ischemic colitis or more serious like intestinal infarction. Between 1989 and 1994, 965 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysms have been surgically treated in General and Cardiovascular Surgery Institute of University of Milan. Rupture had occurred in 150 patients, and intestinal infarction was observed in 6 cases (3.9%). Mortality rate of 33% was observed. Etiology and technical procedures to avoid this complication are discussed.