Dissecting aneurysms of the main trunk of the superior mesenteric artery

We treated four symptomatic patients who were admitted with a spontaneous and isolated dissecting aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery. All four patients underwent operation. The superior mesenteric artery was repaired by means of either a bypass graft in two cases or an endoaneurysmorraphy in the latter two cases. Complete symptomatic relief with no postoperative complications was achieved in every case. The arterial repairs remained patent, and the patients remained free of symptoms, with follow-up ranging from 6 to 47 months. The available literature on this unusual lesion is reviewed.