Intestinal thromboangiitis obliterans: Consequence of a delay in diagnosis

Abstract

Abstract Background: Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) or Buerger’s disease is a form of peripheral vascular disease in young male smokers. The involvement of the intestine occurs only about 2% of the cases. Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease usually precede intestinal manifestations, although the latter can sometimes be the index presentation. The cessation of smoking usually, though not necessarily, prevents the progression of the disease and visceral involvement.Case presentation: Our patient presented with diffuse abdominal pain along with bouts of vomiting and loose motions. He was a known smoker with a prior history of amputation of the right foot, four years before. Physical examination revealed abdominal distension and diffuse tenderness and guarding. An omental band attached to the tip of the appendix was discovered at the initial exploration along with dilated proximal bowel loops, for which a release of the omental band along with appendectomy was done. He developed an enterocutaneous fistula on the sixth postoperative day for which the abdomen was re-explored which revealed multiple segmental perforation in the jejunum and two subcentimetric perforation adjacent to each other in the distal ileum. Resection of the affected jejunal segment was performed followed by Roux-en-Y gastrojejunosotomy and distal ileostomy. A feeding jejunostomy was also performed. The bleeding from the cut ends was unsatisfactory. The patient however had persistent feculent discharge from the wound for which a third exploration was done which revealed a leak from the gastrojejunostomy and feeding jejunosotomy sites, both of which were repaired primarily. However, the patient developed septicemia with persistently elevated serum lactate levels which progressed to refractory septic shock and ultimately succumbed to the illness on 23rd postoperative day of the index surgery.Conclusion: Acute abdomen in a young man, who is a chronic smoker and having an antecedent history of amputation of some part of an extremity for a nontraumatic cause should raise the suspicion of Buerger’s disease of the intestine. Although it is a progressive disease and things are already late by the time intestinal symptoms manifest, early detection may give some scope of salvage and decreasing morbidity and mortality.</jats:p