Safe laparoscopic surgery in median arcuate ligament syndrome

Introduction

The median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), also known as the celiac artery compression syndrome, is a rare clinical condition that is characterized by chronic abdominal pain triggered by meals, nausea and/or vomiting, and weight loss. The syndrome results from the median arcuate ligament (MAL), the continuation of the diaphragm, causing extrinsic compression on the celiac artery (CA) at the point where it crosses the aorta at a lower level and thus narrowing the CA [1]. The dissection of the compressing musculofibrous structure in order to release the compression on the CA is a plausible method of treatment of MALS. It has also been concluded that laparoscopic surgery may safely be performed in the treatment of MALS [2]. There are various techniques used for the laparoscopic approach. Surgeons switch to open surgery in 13% to 27% of cases due to either inadequate visualization of the anatomy or excessive hemorrhages [3, 4]. Treatment of MALS is aimed at restoring normal blood flow in the CA and eliminating neural irritation produced by the celiac ganglion fibers. The exposure of the aorto-celiac axis represents the most challenging part of the surgical procedure. It is important to secure total release while enabling adequate vision as the compressing musculofibrous ligament is located in the deepest part of the aorto-celiac hiatus [2, 5, 6].
This case report presents a method that enables exposure of the MAL while minimizing vascular injury.

Case report

A 29-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic complaining of severe abdominal pain after meals for one month. The patient had no history of chronic disease or drug use. He was a smoker and had involuntarily lost 22 kg within the past month. His physical examination was normal. The results of his laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasonic evaluation, and gastroscopy were also within normal limits. The patient’s angiographic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, however, showed findings consistent with MALS (Photo 1). The patient then was informed about the surgical procedure and his written consent was obtained. The surgical procedure was completed in 105 min without complications. The patient was discharged on the 4th day after surgery without problems. He is now in the 6th month of follow-up and is non-symptomatic.

Operation technique

Under general anesthesia, the patient was placed in a supine position in the 30° reverse Trendelenburg position with legs apart and the surgeon stood between the patient’s legs. A camera port was inserted on the midline at about 5 cm above the umbilicus. A 5-mm trocar was inserted into the right subcostal area, while a 10-mm trocar medially and two 5-mm trocars laterally were inserted into the left subcostal area under direct vision. An automatic retractor was placed under the xiphoid in order to elevate the left lobe of the liver. The gastrohepatic ligament was opened up following abdominal exploration. The left gastric artery (LGA) and arteria hepatica communis (AHC) were isolated and tape was placed around them. The right crus was dissected with an energy device and the anterior surface of the aorta was exposed. The LGA and CHA were held medially and laterally with tape and an endograsper/endoclinch and traction was applied towards the caudal and slightly to the left side of the patient. Through this maneuver, the fibrotic structures on the CA were visualized and they were divided by the energy device. All the potential fibrotic bands up to the part where the CA exited the aorta were released (Photo 2).

Discussion

Median arcuate ligament syndrome is a rare problem that surgeons encounter in surgical practice. Anatomically, the MAL is a musculofibrous structure connecting the two diaphragmatic crura from the anterior at the aortic hiatus level [6]. When sufficient blood flow cannot be achieved after meals due to the compression of the CA, patients develop symptoms. Postprandial epigastric ischemic abdominal pain and weight loss are frequently observed. It has been recommended that the musculofibrous structures and MAL causing the compression should be removed in symptomatic patients [1, 4, 5]. In 1965, Dunbar reported division of the MAL in 13 patients, with good results [7]. Today, laparoscopic surgery is being used at increasing rates. The laparoscopic method has advantages such as avoiding median laparotomy, less postoperative pain, short duration of hospitalization, early oral intake initiation, and better vision during the surgery. Since Roayaie et al. [8] first defined laparoscopic CA release, open surgery rates have dropped below laparoscopy rates over the years [2, 5, 8]. In the literature, results from the limited number of robotic assisted procedures are reported to be similar to those from laparoscopic surgery [9]. There is no standardized and commonly accepted method for laparoscopic techniques. All fibrotic bands should be divided by surgery, leaving the celiac trunk completely free circumferentially. Surgeons need to overcome two problems when dissecting the bands causing compression. The first one is to achieve good vision by exposing the anatomy. The second one is to complete the procedure without vascular injuries [2, 4–6]. Theoretically the tightest ligament that causes compression on the CA is the deepest one. Therefore, all the tight fibrous bands should be dissected to the point where the aorta is exposed through denudation of the CA wall. We believe that the maneuver we have described significantly enables surgical visualization of the celiac trunk without hemorrhage. The placement of tape around the CHA and the LGA both from the lateral side and the midpoint of both arteries towards the caudal and the left side of the patient facilitates the surgery. Moreover, this maneuver obviates the need of a tape around the esophagus for suspension. It is important to avoid extreme and prolonged traction of the CHA while performing this maneuver in order to preserve hepatic arterial flow.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic surgery is safe when appropriate maneuvering is performed, and the results are satisfactory. The maneuver we proposed not only is a safe method in the surgical treatment of the MALS but also facilitates the surgery.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

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Received: 7.04.2018, accepted: 9.05.2018.