Acute intestinal ischaemia: options in surgical management.

Seven patients (mean age 67 years, range 52-82 years) presented with acute intestinal ischaemia over a 4-year period. Massive bowel resection was performed in all patients. Exteriorisation and secondary restoration of intestinal continuity was employed in four patients. In two patients a primary anastomosis was performed at the time of resection and one patient underwent a 'second-look' procedure. Massive bowel resection and exteriorisation allows direct observation of stoma viability, avoids the risk of anastomotic breakdown and should be considered in all but moribund patients with acute intestinal ischaemia. In elderly patients resection and primary anastomosis may be an alternative option.