Mesocaval shunt for portal hypertensive small bowel bleeding documented with intraoperative enteroscopy

Introduction: Besides upper gastrointestinal tract, small bowel has also been implicated as a potential source of hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension.

Presentation of case: We report an interesting case of recurrent massive small intestinal bleeding in a patient with portal hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis treated with a mesocaval shunt. Endoscopic assessment with gastroscopy and colonoscopy failed to identify the source of hemorrhage. An intraoperative enteroscopy was conducted which revealed a diffuse bleeding pattern from the small bowel mucosa.

Discussion: An interposition mesocaval shunt procedure was successfully carried out on an emergency basis that eventually managed to control bleeding.

Conclusion: In cases, where a diffuse pattern of hemorrhage exist or non-operative measures fail emergency mesocaval shunting seems to be an efficacious alternative treatment approach for portal hypertension related intestinal bleeding.