Experience and results on the surgical and medical treatment of ischaemic colitis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse differences between patients with transient forms of ischemic colitis managed with medical treatment and those developing gangrenous forms subsidiaries of surgical treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study (1991-1998) of the ischemic colitis cases occurred in our center separating into two groups according to treatment received (A group: medical, 19 patients; B group: surgical, 10 patients).

RESULTS: Hypertension mainly appear in B group being average age higher in this group than in A group (p < 0.05). Other risk factors analysed such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal failure or consume of different drugs appear in similar way in both groups. In A group patients clinical presentation hematochezia is typical while B group use to start with acute abdomen associated to abdominal distension and hyperleukocytosis (p < 0.05). In group B average estance, morbidity and mortality have been higher than in A (17.4 vs 8.6 days 70 vs 5%, 40 vs 0%, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Hypertension and advanced age are associated risk factors of gangrenous ischemic colitis. The classic clinical presentation of abdominal pain and hematochezia is typical in transient forms. Patients who need a surgical operation for ischemic colitis have a high morbimortality.