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Zorluk: ZorSurgical and Procedural Interventions

A 74-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her family due to sudden, severe abdominal pain that began 8 hours ago. She has a history of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. She was previously taking apixaban but discontinued it one month ago after sustaining a traumatic subdural hematoma from a mechanical fall. On arrival, the patient is lethargic and moaning in pain. Her temperature is 38.3∘C38.3^\circ\text{C} (100.9∘F100.9^\circ\text{F}), blood pressure is 78/48 mmHg78/48 \text{ mmHg}, pulse is 132/min132/\text{min} and irregularly irregular, and respirations are 24/min24/\text{min}. Physical examination reveals a distended abdomen that is rigidly tense. There is diffuse rebound tenderness, involuntary guarding, and absent bowel sounds. Laboratory studies show a leukocyte count of 22,000/μL22,000/\mu\text{L} and a serum lactate of 7.8 mmol/L7.8 \text{ mmol/L}. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

  1. Immediate exploratory laparotomyCevap
  2. B
    Computed tomography angiography of the abdomen and pelvis
  3. C
    Intravenous heparin infusion and admission to the surgical intensive care unit
  4. D
    Mesenteric duplex ultrasonography
  5. E
    Catheter-directed mesenteric arterial thrombolysis

Cevap

Immediate exploratory laparotomy
The patient's clinical presentation is highly suspicious for acute mesenteric ischemia secondary to a cardiogenic embolus. While patients with early ischemia typically present with abdominal pain out of proportion to physical exam findings, this patient's lethargy, profound hypotension, severe lactic acidosis, and generalized peritonitis indicate advanced transmural bowel necrosis. In the presence of an acute surgical abdomen (diffuse peritonitis) combined with hemodynamic instability, the most appropriate next step is immediate exploratory laparotomy. Prompt surgical intervention is required to resect infarcted bowel, restore mesenteric blood flow (e.g., open surgical embolectomy), and achieve source control. Delaying transport to the operating room for imaging or other procedures in this critical state significantly increases mortality.

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1
Identify the primary suspected pathology based on the clinical presentation.
The patient has sudden, severe abdominal pain, atrial fibrillation off anticoagulation, elevated lactate, and leukocytosis, which strongly suggests acute mesenteric ischemia caused by an arterial embolus.
Recognizing the underlying ischemic event is essential for guiding the urgency of the intervention.
2
Assess the patient's hemodynamic status and physical examination findings.
The patient is in shock (blood pressure 78/48 mmHg78/48 \text{ mmHg}, heart rate 132/min132/\text{min}) and has generalized peritonitis (rigidly tense abdomen, rebound tenderness, involuntary guarding).
The presence of peritonitis indicates that the bowel ischemia has progressed to transmural infarction and potential perforation.
3
Determine the optimal procedural intervention based on the severity of the findings.
The combination of hemodynamic instability and an acute surgical abdomen necessitates immediate exploratory laparotomy, bypassing further diagnostic imaging.
Definitive surgical source control (resection of necrotic bowel and restoration of perfusion) is the only life-saving measure at this advanced stage.

Anahtar Kavram

Surgical management of acute mesenteric ischemia
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