Introduction:
Superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistulae (SMAVF) are rare, usually secondary to trauma or iatrogenic injury and typically present sometime after the initial insult.
Report:
A 30 year old male underwent immediate laparotomy for abdominal gunshot injury. The small bowel mesentery contained a large haematoma and a palpable thrill. CT demonstrated a large SMAVF. At re-look laparotomy, small bowel ischaemia was noted and following this endovascular SMA stent graft insertion was performed, with excellent angiographic and clinical results.
Conclusion:
The first report of immediate traumatic SMAVF leading to acute mesenteric steal syndrome and successful management with endovascular stent insertion is presented.