A nationwide analysis of median arcuate ligament release between 2010 and 2020: a NSQIP Study

An 8-Year Experience of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgical Management of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Due to the rarity of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), surgical approaches to median arcuate ligament release (MALR) have been understudied. This series aimed to review robot-assisted laparoscopic MALR from a quaternary care center.

METHODS

This is a single-center cohort study of adult patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic MALR between March 2015 and June 2023. Clinicopathologic data were abstracted from the electronic medical record for patients with at least 30 days of follow-up. Our primary outcome was symptom improvement, which was assessed via review of the medical record from postoperative patient visits with a provider. Bivariate analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were identified. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 41.65 (±16.02), and 16 (80%) of the patients were female. Many patients had concomitant diagnoses of gastrointestinal illnesses, including Crohn's or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (40%) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (35%). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) psychiatric illnesses were diagnosed in 13 (65%) patients. The most frequently encountered preoperative chronic symptoms included postprandial pain (90%), chronic abdominal pain (85%), and unintended weight loss (85%). Postoperatively, 10 patients experienced complete resolution of unintended weight loss (P = 0.0031) and significant improvement in chronic MALS symptoms, including abdominal pain, postprandial pain, nausea, and unintended weight loss. The median follow-up time was 1.63 (0.97-2.69) years. Operative characteristics include the mean operative time of 133.25 ± 25.91 minutes, median estimated blood loss of 20 (8.75-25.00) mL, and no significant changes in inspiratory or expiratory celiac artery peak systolic velocity between measurements before and after robot-assisted laparoscopic median arcuate ligament release (R-MALR). Patients had a median length of stay of 2 (1-3) days. 2 of 20 patients (10%) experienced a return to the operating room for an injury to the gastroesophageal junction and pseudoaneurysm of the left gastric artery. There were no mortalities within 30 days of operation.

CONCLUSION

Our single-institution experience offers evidence that R-MALR release can be a safe and effective option for medium-term relief of MALS symptoms.

Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: Where Are We Today?

Median arcuate ligament syndrome, or celiac artery compression syndrome (eponym: Dunbar syndrome), has historically been attributed to pathophysiologic vascular compression causing downstream ischemic symptoms of the organs supplied by the celiac trunk. However, the more we learn about the histology, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes, health care providers are increasingly correlating the symptoms of MALS with the long-term, repetitive compression of the celiac ganglion rather than the celiac trunk. This article provides a comprehensive review of current MALS literature, emphasizing the multidisciplinary approach these patients require in all phases of their care. With most patients with MALS waiting an average of 10.5 months to 2.6 years, 9, 10 our need for better diagnostic protocols and clearer understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease is paramount. Further investigation into patient outcomes, associated conditions, and linked pathophysiology would help better characterize this disease with hopes of moving it from a diagnosis of exclusion to one of standard work-up with decreased time to treatment and symptom relief for patients.

First description of a histopathologic grading system and relationship to outcomes after robotic median arcuate ligament release with celiac ganglionectomy and lymphadenectomy

BACKGROUND

Two dominating theories regarding median arcuate ligament syndrome include vascular and neurogenic etiologies from celiac artery and ganglion compression, respectively. Celiac ganglionectomy is not routine during surgery, and specimens are rarely excised; therefore, the extent of nerve involvement and histopathology are unknown. Our study aims to characterize histopathologic findings in median arcuate ligament syndrome, establish a histopathologic grading system, and correlate with clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Robotic median arcuate ligament release, celiac ganglionectomy, and lymphadenectomy were performed with specimens excised and stained using hematoxylin & eosin, trichrome, and S100. Neurofibrosis, adiposity, and reactive changes were described, a grading scale was developed, and results were analyzed with clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients were evaluated, of whom 36 met inclusion criteria (81% female, 34.9 [25.9-47.5] years, body mass index 23.5 [19.6-28.1] kg/m2). Histopathologic evaluation revealed fibrosis (hematoxylin & eosin and trichrome median score 1.5 [0-2.5]), reactive lymphadenopathy (89%), intraparenchymal nerves (31%), and lipogranulomas (31%). Greater fibrosis was associated with a lack of preoperative celiac plexus block relief (100% vs. 30%, P = .044) and lower postoperative celiac artery velocities (198 vs 323 cm/s, P = .02). Intraparenchymal nerves were associated with greater decreases in pre to postoperative velocities (161 vs 84 cm/s, P = .037). Symptoms improved in 28 patients (78%).

CONCLUSION

We developed the first histopathologic grading system and identified unique findings of intraparenchymal nerves and lipogranulomas. Histopathologic abnormalities were associated with objective improvement and symptomatic relief postoperatively. These findings support nerve compression and inflammation as predominant contributors to median arcuate ligament syndrome pain, celiac ganglia resection to treat symptoms, and continued histopathologic analysis to better elucidate median arcuate ligament syndrome etiology.

Laparoscopic Median Arcuate Ligament Release: Surgical Technique and Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is characterized by a constellation of symptoms related to the compression of the celiac artery trunk. Laparoscopic release of the ligament has demonstrated its effectiveness in alleviating these symptoms while showing lower postoperative complication rates, reduced hospital stays, and improved clinical outcomes. This study describes a single institution's experience with this procedure and reports on the preoperative assessment, surgical technique, and clinical outcomes of patients with MALS.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent a primary laparoscopic MAL release (MALR) at a single high-volume academic institution from June 2021 to July 2023. Patient demographics, preoperative assessment, postoperative complications, and resolution of preoperative symptoms data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients underwent laparoscopic MALR, with 76.7% being female and a mean age of 33.4±16.3 years. The most common presenting symptom was postprandial epigastric pain (100%), followed by abdominal pain and nausea (83.3%), among others. The preoperative evaluation for all patients included a duplex mesenteric doppler and CT angiogram during inspiration and expiration and 3D reconstruction. Successful laparoscopic decompression of the celiac artery was achieved in 96.6% of cases, with only one conversion to an open procedure. There was only one reported early (<30 d postoperatively) complication with no subsequent late complications or mortality. None of the patients required reintervention or reoperation. Only 1 patient required postoperative celiac plexus/splanchnic block injection to alleviate pain.

CONCLUSIONS

MALS can be effectively and safely managed using a laparoscopic approach when performed by an experienced minimally invasive surgeon. Further studies with longer follow-ups are needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness of this technique.

Superior mesenteric aneurysm associated with median arcuate ligament syndrome and a single celiacomesenteric trunk

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is known to promote arterial collateral circulation development from mesenteric vessel compression and can lead to the development of visceral aneurysms. These aneurysms are often diagnosed at the time of rupture and pose a significant morality risk without appropriate intervention. A celiacomesenteric trunk is a rare anatomic variant in which the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery share a common origin and has been postulated as a risk factor for developing MALS. In this report, we present a novel case of MALS in a patient with a celiacomesenteric trunk and a superior mesenteric artery aneurysm.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome often poses a diagnostic challenge: A literature review with a scope of our own experience

The median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is recognized as a rare clinical entity, characterized by chronic post-prandial abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and unintentional weight loss. Due to its vague symptomatology, it is mainly regarded as a diagnosis of exclusion. Patients can often be misdiagnosed for several years before a correct diagnosis is established, also due to a medical team's clinical suspicion. We present a case series of two patients who suffered from MALS and were treated successfully. The first patient is a 32-year-old woman, presenting with post-prandial abdominal pain and weight loss that have lasted for the past ten years. The second patient, a 50-year-old woman, presented with similar symptomatology, with the symptoms lasting for the last five years. Both cases were treated by laparoscopic division of the median arcuate ligament fibers, which alleviated extrinsic pressure from the celiac artery. Previous cases of MALS were retrieved from PubMed, to assemble a better diagnostic algorithm and propose a treatment method of choice. The literature review suggests an angiography with a respiratory variation protocol as the diagnostic modality of choice, along with the laparoscopic division of the median arcuate ligament fibers as the proposed treatment of choice.

Evaluation of a pain management program for patients with median arcuate ligament syndrome

Objectives

Median arcuate ligament syndrome is a complex disorder potentially caused by variation in the position of the median arcuate ligament. Symptomology involves chronic abdominal pain, nausea, and malnourishment. Pain management modalities and short-term outcomes for patients undergoing operative surgery for median arcuate ligament syndrome have yet to be fully evaluated. Our hospital implemented a pain management consultation program in 2017 focused on perioperative pain management. The objective of this study is to assess if the introduction of a pain management consultation program concurrent with median arcuate ligament syndrome surgery impacts patient outcomes and post-operative pain management strategies in these patients.

Methods

De-identified data was collected retrospectively from our hospital's electronic medical records system, identifying median arcuate ligament syndrome patients and using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes from September 2017 to August 2021. Patients were grouped into the "consultation" cohort if they had scheduled and attended a pre-operative pain consultation. Pre-operative and discharge medications, pain scores, and demographics were collected to evaluate if the initiative impacted outcomes.

Results

Median arcuate ligament syndrome patients who had a pre-operative pain management consultation had higher rates of pre-operative opioid (35.5%; p = 0.01) and non-opioid use (60.7%; p < 0.001). Patients without a pre-operative consultation that did not use opioids pre-operatively were more likely to be discharged on one or more opioids. Differences were also found for psychiatric medication at discharge (p < 0.001) with patients receiving pain consultation indicating higher percentages of use.

Conclusion

Special consideration on prescribing pain medication should be part of discharge planning for median arcuate ligament syndrome patients. Addition of a pain management consultation can aid in these decisions.

Trans-Esophageal Echocardiography of the Descending Aorta and Celiac Trunk as an Intraoperative Monitoring for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) Treatment: Technique Proposal and Two Case Reports

Dunbar syndrome is caused by the compression of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament (MAL) and the diaphragmatic crura, presenting with abdominal pain. The treatment is surgical, with the aim of dissecting and separating the diaphragmatic crura from the celiac axis, restoring blood flow in the celiac trunk. We propose the use of transesophageal echocardiography to measure the peak systolic velocity in the celiac trunk and to evaluate, in real time, the efficacy of the surgery during MAL resection. Two clinical cases with practical implications are reported. In one of these, the ultrasound exam was useful in providing an intraoperative confirmation of the outcome of the resection.

Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: Management and Literature Review

Pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, and fatigue are common symptoms of several upper gastroenterological illnesses. However, the presence of unexplained recurring postprandial abdominal pain and vomiting increases the possibility of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). MALS is an uncommon illness characterized by postprandial vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss. The compression of the median arcuate ligament on the celiac trunk and/or its surrounding celiac nerve plexus may explain this disease phenomenon. Comprehensive workup for other etiologies may be unrevealing except for the compression of the celiac trunk identified in imaging studies and, perhaps, occasional arterial flow rates in sonography studies in some severe cases. Due to the overlapping symptoms of upper gastroenterological disorders, misdiagnosis may be widespread. Therefore, it is essential to consider MALS while examining a patient with upper gastrointestinal disease. In this case series, we present two cases of MALS with similar clinical trajectories and differences in diagnostic techniques.