title: Treatment of median arcuate ligament syndrome via traditional and robotic techniques.
abstract: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare entity characterized by extrinsic compression of the celiac artery and symptoms of postprandial epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss mimicking mesenteric ischemia. We present two patients diagnosed with MALS, the first treated with an open laparotomy by a vascular surgeon and the second using a robot assisted laparoscopic approach by a general surgeon with a vascular surgeon on standby. This is the second ever report of this approach. Both patients recovered without complications and experienced resolution of their symptoms. A discussion of the pathophysiology, literature review, and multispecialty treatment approach are presented.
authors.affiliation: John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI.
authors.forename: Jae S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.affiliation: John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI.
authors.forename: Elna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.affiliation: John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murariu
mesh_terms: D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D000074742:Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012371:Robotics
keywords: Dunbar syndrome; celiac artery compression syndrome; celiac axis syndrome; median arcuate ligament syndrome