Chronic intestinal ischemia. The Lahey Clinic approach to management.

Recognizing decreased mesenteric arterial blood supply in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients is essential to successful treatment of the ischemic bowel. The vascular disease can be documented by using standard arteriography, including a lateral projection. We favor revascularization by bypass in the celiac and superior mesenteric systems and by reimplantation or bypass in the inferior mesenteric system. Externally supported ringed PTFE is our conduit of choice. The chances of late recurrence can be lessened by complete revascularization. For the patient with no symptoms of mesenteric insufficiency who undergoes revascularization for other abdominal arteries, it is important to avoid restricting the mesenteric flow when disease is present, and it may be necessary to revascularize the superior mesenteric artery simultaneously as a prophylactic measure. Avoidance of the major problems of bowel infarction can be achieved by these maneuvers.