Acute Ischemia of the Lesser Gastric Curvature
D. Czeiger, A. Ariche, G. Shaked, N. Sion-Vardi, I. Levi
Trauma Service, Dept. of Surgery, and Pathology Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba
The rich blood supply of the stomach protects it from ischemia and necrosis. Acute gastric ischemia, an emergency with high mortality, is rare. Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of acute ischemia, and the lesser curvature of the stomach is more vulnerable due to its relatively lesser blood supply. Reduction in gastric blood supply usually presents as chronic disease characterized by gastritis, gastric ulcer, or gastroparesis.
Gastroscopy can identify lesions of the gastric mucosa, and angiography demonstrates occluded vessels. Treatment of acute gastric ischemia is surgical, with total gastrectomy preferred over partial resection.