TEMPORARY VASCULAR CONTINUITY DURING DAMAGE CONTROL - INTRALUMINAL SHUNTING FOR PROXIMAL SUPERIOR MESENTERIC-ARTERY INJURY

''Damage control'' is an accepted technique for the treatment of the p atient with exsanguinating injuries to the abdomen and intraoperative coagulopathy. We describe the use of an intraluminal shunt to maintain temporary vascular continuity of the superior mesenteric artery durin g rewarming and correction of coagulopathy in the intensive care unit following a gun shot wound to the abdomen, Successful complex reconstr uction was achieved at definitive laparotomy using an autogenous vein interposition graft.