CASE REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2013 February;26(1):33-5

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Management of superior mesenteric artery trauma: case report and literature review

Gagni G. ¹, Ballarin A. ¹, Genna M. ¹, Scudo G. ², Veraldi G. F. ²

¹ II Division of General Surgery, Civile Maggiore Hospital, Verona, Italy; ² Unit of Vascular Surgery, Civile Maggiore Hospital, Verona, Italy

Trauma of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a rare event, nevertheless the rate of death associated to this injury is really high. Fullen’s classification of SMA injuries is a useful tool to perform a first evaluation of the patient. Furthermore, it could provide indications about which techniques would be the best choice. We describe the case of a traumatic injury of SMA complicated by a pseudoaneurysm, treatment decisions adopted and the course of the patient. Pseudoaneurysm is one of the possible evolution of traumatic injuries of the SMA. In the last two decades, alongside traditional surgery, endovascular techniques gained more and more importance in the treatment of these complications but till today they require a better definition of therapeutic indications. In our opinion, only a multidisciplinary management of these situations can achieve the best results.