COLIC ANGINA AND GANGRENE OF TRANSVERSE COLON IN POLYCYTHEMIA VERA - CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A case of perforation and gangrene of the transverse colon, complicating thrombosis of the middle colic artery in polycythemia vera, has been described. The criteria for diagnosis of polycythemia vera are: erythrocyte count higher than 6,000,000/cu mm 9; leukocytosis and thrombocytosis, a reddish (rather than blue) cyanosis; absent associated disorders (kidney and cardiopulmonary disease); lack of sufficient oxygen unsaturation, and splenomegaly (75 cases only). The main surgical complications are visceral thrombosis, hemorrhage and gastrointestinal ulceration. Properative preparation of a polycythemic patient by repeated phlebotomy is advisable. Reference has been made to treatment with 32P and other radiomimetic agents. © 1969 American Proctologic Society.