Papers of the Week

Despite the successful establishment of endovascular techniques, colonic ischemia continues to be a serious complication of aortic surgery.The risk factors for colonic ischemia include aortic aneurysm rupture, prolonged aortic clamping, perioperative hypotension, the need for catecholamine therapy, occlusion of the hypogastric arteries and renal insufficiency.The clinical presentation of postoperative colonic ischemia is often unspecific. Classic symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, peranal bleeding and rise of inflammatory parameters. A specific laboratory parameter for colonic ischemia does not exist. The diagnostic gold standard is endoscopy. Imaging methods such as sonography or computer tomography play only a supportive role. Transmural ischemia resulting in bowel wall necrosis is an indication for emergency surgery, predominantly colonic resection with creation of artificial anus.