Revascularization of the superior mesenteric artery alone for treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia.

Background: Symptomatic patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) should be treated without much delay because symptoms of CMI are present in 43% patients who present with acute mesenteric ischemia. There are few reported series with large numbers of patients undergoing surgery for CMI, and many controversies persist regarding the optimal surgical treatment. These controversies include the type of surgical repair (antegrade vs.