title: Laparoscopic management of the median arcuate ligament syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is an infrequent cause of abdominal pain. This diagnosis is made after exclusion of other more common causes of upper abdominal symptoms. Mesenteric duplex and a computerized tomography mesenteric angiography demonstrate dynamic compression of the coeliac axis during expiration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of presenting symptoms, preoperative findings and postoperative outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic division of the median arcuate ligament over a 4-year period (2006-2010) are presented. This procedure was associated with low morbidity and complete relief of symptoms in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A minimally invasive procedure is the treatment of choice in selected patients with MALS.
authors.affiliation: Royal North Shore Hospital, Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Sydney, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Tam
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neale
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Vivienne
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schiavone
authors.forename: Jaswinder S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Samra
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hugh
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013577:Syndrome; D055815:Young Adult