Background: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is uncommon and characterized by postprandial epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and weight loss. The syndrome is caused by

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Recalling superior mesenteric artery syndrome

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Background and objectives Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare disorder, recognized as weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and post-prandial pain due to compression and partial obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum by the SMA. If conservative treatment fails, then laparotomy with duodenojejunostomy or lysis of the ligament of Treitz is indicated. Recently, laparoscopic division of the retroperitoneal attachments of the duodenum has been described. We report the first case of laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy as the definitive treatment of vascular compression of the duodenum. Methods A very thin woman with a diagnosis of SMA syndrome was prepared for surgery after having failed medical therapy. The patient was placed in a supine position, and four laparoscopic ports were required to perform a 5 cm duodenojejunostomy. Results The patient did well postoperatively. A gastrograffin study revealed no leak with patency of the duodenojejunal anastomosis. She was subsequently discharged home on a regular diet on postoperative day four. Conclusion Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy is a viable option to treat vascular compression of the duodenum. It provides definitive treatment while preserving the benefits of minimally invasive surgical techniques in the debilitated patient.

Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy for treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

Background: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is duodenal obstruction by the superior mesenteric artery. It is caused by decreasing the angle between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery causing compression of the third part of the duodenum and usually occurs after a period of weight loss. Methods: Between September 1999 and April 2000, 2 patients with superior mesenteric artery syndrome were treated laparoscopically. The laparoscope was placed in the umbilicus; the surgeon operated through two trochars on the left side of the abdomen, and an assistant retracted through one trochar on the right side of the abdomen. The dilated duodenum was seen below the transverse mesocolon and to the right of the superior mesenteric artery. A proximal loop of jejunum was anastamosed to the duodenum using the endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomotic (GIA) stapler. Results: Average operating time was 113 minutes and average hospital length of stay was 3 days. There were no complications and both patients were pleased with their results. Conclusions: Laparoscopic duodenojejunal bypass is feasible with laparoscopic techniques. The operating time is acceptable and the postoperative length of stay is short.

Laparoscopic repair of superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Where Do We Stand Today?

A series of 18 patients underwent surgery for upper abdominal symptoms and signs of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). The diagnosis was made by simultaneous arteriography and barium meal. Findings at operation confirmed SMAS in every patient, and a duodenojejunostomy was performed. Duodenal and jejunal wall biopsy from 13 patients revealed normal myenteric and submucous plexuses. A follow-up study of 16 patients was performed after 7 years. At follow-up, the weight loss seen preoperatively had been corrected. However, symptoms were essentially similar to those found at the original examination. Only the frequency of the most distressing symptom, vomiting, was significantly decreased (p less than 0.05). The most striking features in the production of the "pincher mechanism" of the duodenum were found to be a short aortomesenteric distance together with sagittal parallelism between aorta and superior mesenteric artery. In conclusion, we recommend a conservative attitude in the treatment of SMAS. Surgical treatment with duodenojejunostomy may be indicated only if vomiting is a predominant symptom and proper conservative treatment has failed.

J. Kinnunen

Papers

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: A Follow-up Study of 16 Operated Patients