Mesenteric venous thrombosis. Diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Mesenteric venous thrombosis is an infrequent but distinct form of intestinal ischaemia. We report a case of acute mesenteric venous thrombosis diagnosed by computed tomography. Laparoscopy permitted to establish the extent of the ischaemia. Initially, high doses streptokinase were administered for 6 hours, followed by heparinotherapy for 10 hours, with the aim to reduce the length of bowel to be resected. One day later, intestinal resection was carried out, followed by postoperative anticoagulation.