Non-occlusive enteric gangrene associated with severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Six cases of non-occlusive enteric gangrene in association with severe upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage are described, the incidence of which corresponds to approximately one per cent of the patients with serious gastric bleedings. A brief discussion of the pathophysiology of ischaemic gut lesions is given. In order to reduce the incidence of this disease rapid and adequate treatment of all massive gastro-intestinal bleedings is emphasized. Patients with unexplained abdominal pain in association with haemorrhagic shock should especially be regarded as being at risk of developing the enteric gangrene.