Open Thrombectomy for Primary Acute Mesentericoportal Venous Thrombosis--Should It Be Done?

Mesentericoportal venous thrombosis (MVT) is a rare condition, accounting for 5-15% of acute mesenteric ischemia. Primary MVT is even rarer, with some reports quoting an incidence rate of 10-30% of reported cases. It presents a diagnostic challenge and is associated with a significant mortality rate, ranging from 13% to 50%. As it is an uncommon condition, the evidence in current literature regarding the treatment of MVT is limited. We discuss our surgical experience with a case of acute primary MVT that was managed with good clinical outcome and discuss the current evidence for the treatment of acute MVT. A 50-year-old Chinese lady with no significant past medical history presented with a 2-day history of abdominal pain and epigastric tenderness on examination. Computed tomography of her abdomen and pelvis showed evidence of extensive acute thrombi present in portal confluence extending into the superior mesenteric vein, associated with submucosal edema in some central jejunal loops. Despite systemic anticoagulation therapy with intravenous heparin, the patient deteriorated clinically, and decision was made for an exploratory laparotomy, small bowel resection, and open thrombectomy. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. She was discharged on postoperative day 13 with lifelong oral anticoagulation. In conclusion, we describe the successful management of a patient with extensive acute primary MVT where open thrombectomy was performed together with small bowel resection.