Bowel infarction

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Bowel infarction or 'bowel death' results from a severely restricted blood supply to part of the bowel; this can in turn be due to an uncorrected bowel twist or bowel strangulation, or to occlusion of one of the mesenteric arteries.

Strangulation sometimes results from fibrous bands which can form after major bowel surgery due to post operative adhesions.

The condition is very commonly fatal, is difficult to anticipate and not an easy diagnosis.

Small numbers of people have survived resection of extensive sections of bowel following arterial occlusion, but maintaining nourishment presents large problems.

The singer Maurice Gibb, member of the Bee Gees, is understood to have died from complications following a bowel twist.

Small bowel volvulus is a rare but life-threatening surgical emergency. Central abdominal pain resistant to narcotic analgesia should heighten the suspicion of the diagnosis.