Mesenteric Arterial Trauma

Abstract Injury of the mesenteric arteries occurs most frequently secondary to gunshot wounds but can also result from blunt abdominal trauma. Injury to the mesenteric vasculature is highly lethal as a result of associated intraabdominal and retroperitoneal injuries, hemorrhagic shock, and/or secondary bowel ischemia. Even in the hands of experienced trauma surgeons, the diagnosis, exposure, and repair of these injuries can be difficult. Optimal outcomes require early diagnosis of mesenteric arterial trauma, which relies on a high index of suspicion and meticulous evaluation and observation of at-risk patients. In the setting of blunt trauma, CT scans have improved diagnostic accuracy for these injuries, and damage control techniques have revolutionized surgical outcomes for these critically ill patients.