Percutaneous transhepatic mechanical thrombectomy for acute mesenteric venous thrombosis.

PURPOSE: To present the management of symptomatic acute mesenteric venous thrombosis using a percutaneous thrombectomy device followed by resection of necrotic intestine.

CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old woman developed acute abdomen and melena. Diffuse and extensive mesenteric and portal vein thromboses were diagnosed by computed tomography. Percutaneous transhepatic mechanical thrombectomy with an Oasis thrombectomy device removed approximately 80% of the thrombus in the portal and superior mesenteric veins. The patient underwent laparotomy immediately after thrombectomy, in which 100 cm of necrotic intestine was resected. Catheter-directed urokinase thrombolysis was performed for 3 days to address residual thrombi. The result was excellent, and the patient recovered without short bowel syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS: The hydrodynamic thrombectomy system is a quick, reliable, efficient device that may offer an alternative to thrombolysis and surgical thrombectomy. Combining mechanical thrombectomy devices and surgery can be used to treat symptomatic acute mesenteric venous thrombosis.