A rare case of superior mesenteric venous and portal vein thrombosis in complicated appendicitis

Superior mesenteric venous (SMV) thrombosis is a rare complication of severe appendicitis. Early recognition is due to improved imaging modalities, which ultimately lead to more prompt intervention. Despite being an uncommon phenomenon, SMV thrombosis can have complications stemming from venous hypertension, such as gastric and esophageal varices, bowel ischemia, sepsis, and death. As this is a rare phenomenon, specific treatment guidelines and algorithms are lacking in the current literature. This case report describes a 23-year-old male patient whose recovery from a laparoscopic appendectomy was complicated with both an SMV and portal vein thrombosis.